NMW attempts to expose the poor quality, ignorance, assumptions, & double standards in Norway’s media coverage about Canada, Canadians, & Canadian culture. It lists the low standards some Norwegian journalists have about Canadian accuracy, & that many seem to "guess" or "assume" (rather than using FACT) what they write about Canada is correct. Sadly; it points out the bad Norwegian habit of often just treating Canada as though it is some part of the USA.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

TV2 (Nettavisen) - 34 Stories

1) «Uno» får amerikansk debut (By Vibeke Johnsen) 23 August 2004

http://pub.tv2.no/TV2/underholdning/film/article268693.eceIn the title of this story the Norwegian journalist writes the Norwegian film "Uno" will make its "American" debut at Canada's Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. American?? Wrong country, wrong nationality. Canada, Mexico, and the USA are located in North America, and the Toronto International Film Festival is a Canadian film festival located in the Canadian city of Toronto, not in the USA, and is not an American film festival. The Norwegian film is making its "Canadian" debut or "North American" debut because it is happening in Canada; the Americans have nothing to do with its debut. To be correct it should say "Canadian Debut" since it is premiering at a Canadian film festival, and why not give credit to Canada and Canadians? First, Toronto is located in Canada, and Canadians inhabit Canada, not Americans. Second, in order for the film to make an American debut as the journalist has written, it would have to make its debut in the USA. And third, the Toronto International Film Festival is a film festival with films from all around the world. Is writing "Canadian Debut" at a Canadian International Film Festival not enough status to Norwegians? Why would a journalist deliberately change the nationality of a Canadian film festival to American, or try to make it look American? Is Canadian not good enough? It would be like a Canadian journalist changing the origin of the Cannes Film Festival to Germany from France, or the Nobel Peace Prize from Norway to Denmark. It would be like a Canadian journalist writing a Canadian film is debuting at the Bergen International Film Festival making its "Swedish Debut" just because Canadians felt Sweden gave us more "status" than Norway. In an e-mail to Vibeke Johnsen asking her why this mistake happened she writes: "Of course we know that Toronto is not a city in America, but I see that there's a clever soul trying to put as much into the title as possible here :-) The title is wrong and it is now corrected. It's not always easy to check these errors when I am out travelling. However, the festival calls itself the largest North-American festival and it is more of a meeting place for American filmmakers than anywhere else. I guess that's what they were trying to derive in the title from the story, but I absolutely agree that in this case it turned out wrong. Best regards, Vibeke Johnsen Entertainment Editor - Nettavisen." It is good to see the mistake correct, even if sometime later, and to admit the mistake, but the film festival is more than just Americans coming to Canada to promote their films, it is an international festival, with a lot of Canadian film content, and international content. Aren't there enough American film festivals in the USA Norwegian journalists can give "Uno" or other Norwegian films credit for debuting at an American festival? Is Canada seen as so small a country and having no real cultural importance in the Norwegian mind-set that changing the story to look like Norwegians are having American success is better, even when the success or debut is not in the USA? Does that mean that the Toronto International Film Festival is not good enough because it's a Canadian film festival? She states the festival is more a place for American filmmakers than anywhere else. Is this really true? What about Canadian and international filmmakers? What about Cannes in France? How does she know if more American filmmakers come to Cannes, France or Toronto, Canada? What about film festivals in the USA, they surely have more American filmmakers there than an international festival in Canada? The Toronto International Film Festival in 2004 showcased "328 films from 60 countries over its 10-day run." That doesn't seem mostly American as the journalist has written. The story was later changed to "Toronto" (not Canadian debut) after contacting TV2. This story is an excellent example of the problem some Norwegian journalists have in seeing and respecting Canadians (and Canada) for who they really are. And how Norwegians when doing well in Canada, sometimes try to portray they are having success in the USA instead of Canada, or passing off Canadian success as American success, or Canadian nationality as American, with little or no reference to Canada. Many Norwegian readers must be true experts on Canada and Canadian geography when so many Canadian cities are often mentioned in stories, and not the country of Canada itself. It seems like for some reason doing well in Canada, is not seen as having as much status as in the USA, and that may be so for Norwegians, as Canada is not the USA, but if the festival is Canadian, and the film is making a Canadian debut in Canada, it should respectfully recognised as Canadian. For some reason, it is sometimes common for Norwegian journalists to remove and change Canadian details (or at least include as little as possible) to give the impression Norwegians are actually doing well in the USA. Canada is the neighbour to the USA and is not part of the USA anymore than Norway is part of Germany or Sweden. Strange how this does not happen to countries like Great Britain and Australia in the Norwegian press, but it seems "little Canada" is not important enough to Norwegians. This website has many examples of this Norwegian media habit.

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/kultur/kunst/article481984.eceIn this story about the Canadian production and world premier of the Lord of the Rings musical taking place in Toronto, Canada. The journalist assumes, for some reason, the ticket cost for the show are $115.00 USD in his story. Why would the tickets be selling in American money in Canada? That's like a Canadian journalist writing the tickets at Oslo's new opera house sell in Swedish Crowns. The story is from Canada, and the currency used in Canada is Canadian dollars, not American money. But, for some strange reason he converts the $115 Canadian ticket price with exchange rate from a different country, in this case the USD-NOK rate, instead of by the correct rate based on the CAD-NOK exchange rate. Canada is not in the USA, so why would Canada use the USA's money?The Norwegian journalist writes $115 and then converts the Canadian amount with the USD-NOK exchange rate to get the wrong amount of 732 Norwegian kroner when it should be 630 Norwegian kroner ($115 Canadian currency x 5.51 NOK-CAD is 632 NOK, not 732 as the Norwegian journalist writes). This story is another example, of how many Norwegian journalists don't even know we use Canadian money in Canada. Why would Canada use a foreign currency? Are EUROs or Swedish Crowns the national currency of Norway? So why would Canadians use American money Canada, when Canada is not located in the USA? And in addition, even stranger, the BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4376452.stm) even writes the tickets are $115 Canadian each, yet the Norwegian journalists still uses the American currency exchange rate. The worst examples of this is when Canadian business stories are printed where Canadian stocks and shares, and financial transactions are quoted in the Norwegian press with the wrong totals because of this mistake. Very unprofessional. Mexico is also located in North America and no one in Norway assumes the national currency of Mexico is the USA's currency, and not the Mexican peso. Norwegian stories never seem to be converting Australian or New Zealand national currencies with USD-NOK exchange rates, so why does this happen so often to Canadian stories? Australia is a smaller country geographically and population than Canada (Canada 33 million people, Australia 20 million), Canada is a G-8 nation with 8th largest economy and the 7th largest traded currency in the world, and Norway's third largest trading partner after the EU and USA, so why so many mistakes in the Norwegian press? If British, Swedish, French, German and American news journalist can report about Canada and our Canadian currency accurately why can't Norwegian journalists?

3) Generalprøvene før Premier League (By Dag Langeroed) 10 July 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/pl/article410729.eceIn this article the journalist writes about an English football team travelling to Canada and the United States to participate in some pre-season football matches, the Norwegian journalist writes the teams are just going to the USA, and writes the Canadian cities are located in the USA. Wrong country! Here are the "USA" dates he writes:

Actually the Canadian cities of Victoria (capital city of the Province of British Columbia) and Vancouver listed above are in the country of Canada, not in the USA. The two cities are located in the province of British Columbia located on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver is the Canadian host city for 2010 Winter Olympics. To be correct it should read:

"Sunderland:

14. jul: Victoria State - Sunderland (i Canada)

16. jul: Vancouver Whitecaps - Sunderland (i Canada)

20. jul: Seattle Sounders - Sunderland (i USA)

23. jul: Portland Timbers - Sunderland (i USA)"

Even though the list of dates, cities and countries on the English football team's website list the Canadian cities in Canada, the Norwegian journalist has changed them to the USA. Why? E-mails from the author of the story at TV2 didn’t clarify why he changed the country for the Canadian games, and it took a month to have the story corrected. Why would the journalist would change the name of the country and the name of the team they are playing against in Victoria? The team in Victoria, Canada they are playing is not called "Victoria State" as the Norwegian journalist has written. Victoria is a city in Canada, not a state. Why does it take a month to fix a mistake and several e-mails? How does it even happen in the first place when the source of information clearly states Canada?

4) Kandrer bilspill for dødsulykke (By Lars Wærstad) 6 February 2006

http://tv2.subnett.no/nyheter.aspIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes the Canadian city of Toronto as being in the USA. USA? Wrong country! The truth is that Toronto is actually located in the country of Canada. Toronto is the largest city in Canada with ca. 4.5 million people, and the capital of the province of Ontario in Canada, and yet for some reason this journalist writes it's in the USA. After mentioning to him the mistake, he wrote to say it was changed. And as far as can been seen on TV2 website, the story has just disappeared, not corrected. Why would a journalist write Canada's largest city is in the USA? That's like a Canadian journalist writing Oslo is in Sweden or Germany. Was is a guess or an assumption?

In this story the Norwegian journalists writes: "I den kanadiske delstaten British Columbia ble han torsdag funnet skyldig i å ha hatt sex med mindreårige, og i seksuelle overgrep." Canadian state?? This is not correct. To be correct it should say: "I den kanadiske delstaten British Columbia ble han torsdag funnet skyldig i å ha hatt sex med mindreårige, og i seksuelle overgrep." British Columbia is a province in Canada, not a state. Canada does not have states, and has been using provinces since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North American with states.

In this story the Norwegian journalist refers to the Canadian founded National Hockey League (NHL/LNH) as American. American?? How can that be when it was founded in Canada, and there are teams based in TWO countries, not just the USA? First, the NHL/LNH is a league with teams from two of the three countries in North America, Canada and the USA. Canada founded the league in 1917, gave it it's name, the Stanley Cup trophy, the rules, and much more, so it's fair to say some credit to Canada is deserved. Ignorance of the NHL doesn't make it right to give the Americans credit for what has become a North American league. In the article he writes the Americans are following the European lead; what he should be writing is the "Canadians and Americans" (or the North-Americans) are following the European lead. Why would he write the Americans and forget about the Canadian content of the NHL? The reality is the even though the NHL/LNH has more USA based teams playing in the NHL than Canada does, there are more Canadians watching hockey than all the Americans that watch hockey with all their USA based teams combined. In addition, 55% of all the players playing for all the NHL/LNH teams are still Canadians, and when the league was founded in Canada in 1917, it was closer to 100% of the players were Canadians. In Norwegian: Ligaen er kanadisk fra 1917 og NHL betyr the "National Hockey League" og National betyr Canada, ikke USA. De amerikanske NHL lagene spiller i Canadas nasjonal hockeyliga (the National Hockey League), selv om det er i dag mere amerikanske lag enn kanadiske lag. Amerikanske lag fikk lov til å spille i Canadas NHL i 1920 årene, men ligaen er forstatt kanadisk. The Stanley Cup heter faktisk "Lord Stanley Dominion Challenge Cup." Dominion er "The Dominion of Canada," Canadas navn. After e-mailing the journalist to correct the mistake, a correction has never been made. It seems that it is virtually impossible to convince some Norwegian journalists that not everything in North America is American or from the USA. Mexico and Canada are in North America as well, and have made contributions to North America and the world. Why is it so difficult to convince some Norwegian journalists that not everything in North America is American?

In this story about a Canadian hockey player TV2 writes that Perry Johnson comes from the "University of Alabama" in the USA. That is not correct. Perry Johnson comes from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, in Alberta, in Canada. How is it that Johnson is reported being from a foreign country and foreign university in the USA, when he is from Canada? The University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada is over 4,000 kilometres north of the US state of Alabama. After sending TV2 an e-mail about the mistake in this story, a correction has never been made and a reply was never received by TV2. The Norsk Pressforbund states: "Code of Ethics of the Norwegian Press 4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given, as soon as possible." The mistake has not been corrected and their is no reference as to the person or source of the story. This is very typical response received (or not received) by many Norwegian news outlets; it seems they don't care to be informed of a mistake, and some care even less to correct their mistakes. Many do, but it seems trying to get many news media outlets to change their mistakes is often difficult. Why do so many Norwegian journalist not care if there are mistakes in their stories? Is it because they are mistakes about Canada and Canadians, and Canada doesn't matter? Is it discrimination? A double standard? Is it arrogance? Or, is it just ignorance? Are so many Norwegian journalists so knowledgeable about Canada, Canadians and Canadian culture they are 100% convinced what they have written is correct?

http://www.side2.no/reise/reisemal/nord-amerika/article685680.eceIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Mall of America var lenge verdens største kjøpesenter." That is not correct. The Canadian shopping centre - the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Canada, has always been larger than the Mall of America in the USA. The West Edmonton Mall was built in 1981. The American shopping centre was built in 1992. The Wikipedia website states about the Mall of America in the USA: "The mall became the largest shopping mall in total area in the United States when it opened in 1992; however, the mall has never been the largest in the world." Why would a Norwegian journalist write it has long been the world's largest when it has never been? A guess? An assumption? Why are simple facts like these not checked before printed? Of all the coverage in this story about family theme parks the largest in Canada is not even mentioned. Is that complete and accurate journalism? Two days later the story was corrected.

10) Peter Jennings er død (Runa Hestmann Tierno) 8 August 2005

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article433403.eceIn this story about Canadian news journalist Peter Jennings the Norwegian journalist writes: "Det amerikanske nyhetsankeret Peter Jennings er død, 67 år gammel." This Norwegian story is another excellent example of how often Canadians that have made a success in their careers in foreign countries like the USA, are virtually not recognised nor respected for being Canadian. In this story the journalist refers to Jennings an "amerikanske nyhetsankeret" and little reference to his Canadian nationality. Peter Jennings was born and raised, educated, and started his news journalism career IN CANADA. Born and raised as a Canadian, Peter Jennings has always been a Canadian, and a Canadian citizen. In the 1960s Peter Jennings was offered an opportunity to work for NBC news in the USA. Until the age of 65, Peter Jennings never even had American citizenship, he has always been a Canadian. At 65 he applied and received American citizenship and thus had dual-citizenship. Under Canadian law, a Canadian can also have dual citizenship with a foreign country (e.g. say with Norway, Denmark, Britain, Spain, USA), and still keep his Canadian citizenship. In this story, despite the fact he is a Canadian, raised a Canadian, educated in Canada, has Canadian citizenship, Canadian family, and never applied to receive American citizenship until 65 years of age, there is little credit given to him being a Canadian all his life. Yet, in the Norwegian press if this man was a Norwegian that went to the USA to work, never gave up his Norwegian citizenship, he would still be regarded as a Norwegian. A clear double standard on how many Canadians working in the USA are reported on in the Norwegian press. For some reason in the Norwegian press little credit is given to Canadians that work in a foreign country (like in the USA) for being Canadians. Unlike Brits, Australians, and Norwegians - it seems Canadian nationality and citizenship is less recognised in the Norwegian press when they live and work in the USA. Why are Canadians when working in the USA less recognised for their Canadian nationality, and more likely to be incorrectly identified American nationality than, Australians, Norwegians or British working in the USA? Despite the fact Peter Jennings was a Canadian and had Canadian citizenship all his life, and only had US citizenship the last two years of his life, why can't he be recognised in the Norwegian press for who he is - a Canadian? How is Knut Rockne still considered a Norwegian in Norway when he moved to the USA and raised as a child, when Peter Jennings moved to work in the USA as an adult? Sadly it seems, there is a douuble standard in how some in the Norwegian press see Canada's nationality, nationhood, and citizenship. If a Norwegian moves to Sweden to take a job on a Swedish television news channel and only takes out Swedish citizenship in the last two years of his life, and never giving up his Norwegian citizenship, would the Norwegian press write "Swedish news journalist" in their news stories? The answer is no. Norwegians would be proud of him being a Norwegian and would make reference to his Norwegian heritage. Here's a quote from a local Canadian news article regarding Canadian Peter Jennings: "Jennings was proud of his Canadian citizenship, although it was occasionally a sore point with some (US) critics. When Jennings spoke at the dedication of a museum celebrating the U.S. Constitution in 2003, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told him, 'not bad for a Canadian.' " Just days before his death Peter Jennings recieved the highest civilian award a Canadian can receive from his country - The Order of Canada." Taken from the CBC: "A day after his 67th birthday, and eight days before he died, Peter Jennings found out he would be awarded the Order of Canada, the nation's highest honour. The nomination process began long before Mr. Jennings' dramatic on-air announcement on ABC-TV on April 5 that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. The decision was made on June 29 at the last meeting of the advisory committee to the Order of Canada, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada, which makes recommendations to the Governor General (of Canada). Mr. Jennings was already too ill to respond directly. His sister Sarah, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, communicated with Rideau Hall, and told her brother the news on July 30. He officially accepted the honour only days before his death." After giving the Norwegian journalist more facts to base her story on, she changed it to mention he was "Canadian born." Considering the facts the man was Canadian first, born in Canada, was always a Canadian, only an American two years, worked as a journalist in Canada, at least a mention of him being a Canadian is deserved. Canadians can certainly get the feeling when reading the Norwegian press that being Canadian doesn't count for very much in Norway. One can certainly get the feeling in the Norwegian press that if you're not American, you're not as good.

11) Møt årets heteste spillbabe (Lars Wærstad) 26 September 2006

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/spillmagasinet/article750378.eceIn this story about Canadian actress Emmanuelle Vaugier the Norwegian journalist writes: "...og i år er det halvt australske, halvt franske Emmanuelle Vaugier som fronter spillet."Australian and French?? wrong countries, wrong nationalities. This is not correct, she is not from France or from Australia. Emmanuelle Vaugier is a Canadian actress born in Vancouver, Canada. More specifically she is part of Canada's French heritage. The two largest ethnic groups in Canada are French-Canada (about 30% of Canada and close to 8 million Canadians) and English-Canada. Canadians of French origin have been in Canada for 400 years and were the original European founders of Canada from as early as 1534. This story is an excellent example of how Canadians are poorly recognised in the Norwegian press. Often there are stories relating to Canada where Canadians are not properly recognised for being Canadians at all. Even though Emmanuelle Vaugier's own website states the following information she gets no credit for being Canadian in this TV2 story: "Emmanuelle Vaugier is considered one of Canada's most promising young * performers"* "As one of Canada’s busiest actors, Emmanuelle can be seen in the upcoming new season"* "The Vancouver native"* "Vaugier was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up in a French (Canadian)-speaking household." From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Emmanuelle Vaugier Born: June 23, 1976 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Occupation: Actress Emmanuelle Vaugier (born June 23, 1976 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a French Canadian actress." From the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC): "Along with Alberta's (Canada) Evangeline Lily, Vaugier is considered one of this country's (Canada's) most promising young performers." How does it happen that a Canadian actress get's no recognition for being Canadian, and the country she is from doesn't even get mentioned in the story? Is it ignorance or is there a habit in the Norwegian press to not give Canadians, Canada, or Canadian culture its proper credit? If so, why? The journalist has beeen informed of his mistake, and the next day the story was corrected to state: "...fransk-kanadiske Emmanuelle Vaugier." In asking the journalist the source of his information for his original information about her he states: "I believe it was the australien FHM, but i'm not sure. Sorry..." The original FHM Australian story writes the following about this Canadian actress: "...we love the 29-year-old French-speaking Canadian." In addition to mentioning she is Canadian there are a couple of different mentions of Canada in the story including a mention of a popular Canadian drink: "If a desirable fellow were to approach you at a bar, how should he do it? He can buy me a drink. Do you guys have Caesars? It’s a cocktail with clamato juice (disturbingly, this is a Canadian blend of tomato juice and clam broth. True!) and vodka." It seems the FHM artcile is very clear she is Canadian. How does this journalist think she from Australia and France?

12) Oppskrift på vennskap (Anders Røeggen) 5 October 2006

http://www.side2.no/film/anmeldelser/article759576.eceIn the review of this Canadian-UK movie the Norwegian journalist writes: "denne nordamerikanske småbyen." It's a Canadian movie, based in Canada. Why can't he write "small Canadian city"? Why the need to make it sound American in this story? Although there is nothing "technically wrong" with writing "small North-American city" as all cities and towns in Mexico, Canada and the USA are located on the continent of North America, but why not be more specific when the film is about based in Canada? This another example of how some Norwegian journalists often exclude as much possible reference or clarity to Canada and Canadian content and for some strange reason make it sound more "American" or "North-American" as much as possible. If this was a story about a small town in the USA or Mexico, it's likely it would not be refered to as a "small "North-American city" but either as a small "American city" or small "Mexican city." This is a Canadian/UK film, and credit should be given for that. Let's face it, when the majority of Norwegians think about or hear the words "America" they don't think of Mexcio or Canada, they think of the USA. Is being Canadian not as acceptable to Norwegians that the context has to be made as "American" or "North American" as much as possible? Imagine if in Canada, Canadian journalists painted Norwegian stories, culture, language as much as possible with a Swedish perspective - would Norwegians find that acceptable? So why do it with Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture? Every other review of this movie has been more specific and either stated "small Canadian city" or small "Ontario city" in Canada. Is it so difficult to give credit to this film based in Canada for being Canadian? There are three countries in North America with three distinct cultures and three main languages (French and English in Canada) spoken. What part of North america is this story talking about? If this was a Norwegian film being reviewed in Canada, no one would write "small European city" as this is so vague it could be anywhere in Europe. It is time for Norwegian journalists to give Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture the same fair treatment it gives Britain, Australia, and USA.

http://www.side2.no/helse/article778715.eceIn this story the original Norwegian journalist from Forskning writes: "Det antyder i hvert fall en ny amerikansk undersøkelse.- Funnene tyder på at folk har en tendens til å godta genetiske forklaringer, som om de er sterkere og mer uunngåelige, sier Steven Heine fra University of British Columbia i ei pressemelding." This is wrong. The study is a Canadian study done at a Canadian university by Canadian researchers. Despite the fact the researchers, are Canadians, the univeristy is a Canadian univesity, located in Canada, the Norwegian journalist writes "amerikansk undersøkelse." Why does a Canadian study like this gets credited as being an American study? The British, American, and Australian media stories all state Canada, Canadians, and Canadian researchers, yet this journalist gives credit the country located beside Canada, the USA. How does something like this happen? Does the journalist think the University of British Columbia is located in the USA? An e-mail was sent to the journalist, and to date a reply or correction to the mistake has not been received.14) Gjør plass for Montreal (Vidar Dons Lindrupsen)http://www.side2.no/reise/reisemal/nord-amerika/article962971.ecIn this story the Norwegian journalists uses American references to the Canadian city of Montreal that are perplexing. In the story he writes: "Den beste blandingen av amerikansk og europeisk finner du i Montreal." American?? Wrong country! First, Montreal is not American, nor is it correct to say it is the best mix of American and European. The city is Canada's second largest, it's French speaking, and the second largest French speaking city after Paris in the world. To be give the city proper credit the story should say it is the best blend of "Canadian and European" or "North America and France." First, the city is in Canada, and second, the city is Canadian, the more modern Canadian style in the city is Canadian, not American. Is the style of a Norwegian city like Oslo for example, Swedish? Montreal was founded in 1642, and since has been the financial and economic heart of French Canada, and to call it American, when the city is Canadian is not respectful to Montrealers or Canadians. If the Norwegian journalist means to say it is a blend of North-American and European style then that is fair to say and accurate, as Montreal and Canada are located in North America, but they are Canadian, not American. Should a Canadian reporter comes to Norway and say Oslo is a blend of European and Swedish? Later in the story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Dersom man ser grupper av amerikanske gutter i 18-19 årsalderen, kan man være trygg på at de høyst sannsynlig ikke er på vei til butikkene eller klar for å skrifte." First, Canada is occupied by Canadians and the nationality of the people of Canada is Canadian, not American. If there are a group of boys hanging around a stripe club in Canada, then they would be Canadians, not Americans as this journalist has written. If these are Canadians, why has he called these Canadians Americans? Americans are the name of the people that live in the USA, and not Canadians. If by chance when the journalist saw these boys and they identified themselves as "Americans" then they are American tourists in Canada and not Canadians, and this should be clarrified in his story. If in the story the journalist means the local boys of the city of Montreal then they are Canadians. Canada and Canadians deserve more respect from the Norwegian press for who and what they are. The Canadian press does not treat Norway poorly, so why does the Norwegian press often treat Canada poorly in their media? This website is testament to this Norwegian problem, despite the fact that there are still hundreds of stories have not been listed on here. The above stories above all show an ignorance of Canada, especially because they come from jurnalists that have a responsibility to report accuratley. Had these stories been about the USA, Australia or the UK, the same mistakes would most likely not have happened, or certainly no where near as often as they happen to Canadian stories.

15) Ett usunt måltid skader deg (Jorunn Egeland) 26 April 2007http://www.side2.no/helse/article987233.eceIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes "skal vi tro amerikanske forskere." This is wrong. First, it is a Canadian study, not an American study, and second the University of Calgary is in Canada, not in the USA. This story is another example of how Norwegian journalists read about a Canadian story and often just assume it is American, or change it to be American or look American. The study is from Calgary as the information shows, and there is no media source that states the study is American. In fact, there are several media sources that states the study is Canadian, including this one from Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070424.wxifat24/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/homeWhy

would a Norwegian journalist take a Canadian story and deliberatley change it to call it an American story? Especially when the news source does not state is an American study, but done at a Canadian university. Even the Forskning story made reference of in the Nettavsien story does not stay it is American. Nettavsien has several stories misrepresenting Canada and Canadians, and seems to be a regular occurance with their journalists. Is it not the norm in journalism to verify facts befire printing them? Is is not wrong to change facts or details in stories to make them appear different than what they are, without verifying the facts?

16) Wrestlingstjerne drepte familien (By TV2) 26 June 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1152350.ecIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Den amerikanske fribryteren Chris Benoit ble mandag funnet død i sitt hjem i delstaten Georgia i USA."American?? Wrong nationality. This is wrong Chris Benoit is not an American; he is a Canadian born and raised in the French part of Canada. Why change his nationality? He speaks French and English, and even though he may have worked and lived in the USA for his career, that doens't change his nationality. If a Norwegian comes to the USA to live and work, does that make him an American? If a Norwegian goes to live and work in Sweden does that make him a Swede? Why is it so often that Canadians living and working in the USA, just as many Brits, Australians or Norwegians do, are suddenly no longer Canadians in the Norwegian press? Why is the Canadian nationality so often incorrectly reported as American, but this doesn't seem to happen with other foreigners in the Norwegian press? Why does the Norwegian press so confidentaly think these Canadians are Americans? And why are these facts not verified in the Norwegian press before the Norwegian stories go to print? Upon, pointing out the mistake to TV2 they corrected the story and properly identified his nationality as Canadian, but no e-mail was received to explain the error. It is safe to say the journalist took a guess or assumed, despite the Canadian speaks French, has a French-Canadian name, and is Canadian, he was guessed or assumed to be an American.

17) Helt matt i shoppe-mekka (Rapport fra Torstein Bae) 18 October 2007http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sjakk/article1385333.eceIn this report ("Rapport fra Nettavisens sjakkspaltist Torstein Bae") there is a mistake about the Canadian shopping centre - West Edmonton Mall. He writes: "ALBERTA, CANADA (Nettavisen): West Edmonton Mall er Nord-Amerikas største og verdens tredje største kjøpesenter, og kan tilby det aller meste den kjøpeglade kan begjære" The shopping centre is Canada's, North America's and the world's largest shopping centre. Why he writes it is the 3rd largest, who knows, but that is not correct. The following comes from the West Edmonton Mall website: "West Edmonton Mall is waiting for you! It's the world's largest entertainment and shopping centre and Alberta's number one tourist attraction, featuring over 800 stores and services, over 100 eating establishments, plus nine world class attractions. It's the only mall of its kind - both a shopper's dream and a world of excitement and adventure. This amazing structure - often called the "8th Wonder of the World" - spans the equivalent of 48 city blocks in the prestigious west end of the City of Edmonton (metro population over 995,000), in the Province of Alberta."

18) Drept med el-pistol (By David Brændeland ) 15 November 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1446226.eceIn this very tragic and terrible Canadian story there are a couple of mistakes. The Norwegian reporter writes: "Det mest bekymringsverdige var at én av politimennene brukte kneet ogbeinet til å holde hodet hans på gulvet, sier Pritchard til CNN." This is wrong. In the American CNN story, the Canadian Paul Pritchard said this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), not CNN. The CNN story the Norwegian reporter quotes this from even states Paul Pritchard said these comments to the CBC. The Norwegian reporter has changed it to make it look like Paul Pritchard made these comments to CNN, not the CBC. It clearly states in the American CNN story - "Probably the most disturbing part is one of the officers uses his leg and his knee to pin his neck and his head to the ground," Pritchard told CBC News." Why is this Canadian fact change by the Norwegian reporter; from a Canadian news agency to an American news agency, even when CNN does not do this? Secondly: "De må gjøre noe, fordi dette dreper mennesker, sier Cisowski til CBS." She did not say this to CBS in the USA, she said this to the CBC in Canada. The CNN story clearly says she states this to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation In both these quotes the Norwegian journalist changes the Canadian news agency to American news agencies. Why change the Canadian news agencies when the USA's CNN story does not say this? From CNN: "The dead man's mother, Zofia Cisowski, told CBC News that Tasers should not be used by police." "They should do something because that is a killer, a people killer."" Does this Norwegian journalist think the Canadian CBC is actually the American CBS and CNN? Even when the Americans use the correct Canadian references, the Norwegian journalist has changed them to American references. After sending two e-mails to the journalist the corrections were made, but the link in the story taking readers back to the CBC in Canada, actually directs them back to the story from CBS in the USA. It is amazing how Canadian facts are changed from a Canadian story to made to look American, and even after pointing out these errors, no reply from the journalist or TV2, and there is still an incorrect link in the story. Why so little respect given top the Canadian references in this story?

19) Nesestyver til Moore (Asle Bentzen) 29 November 2007

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/side2/film/anmeldelser/article1466446.eceIn this story about the Canadian film "Maufacturing Dissent" the Norwegian writers states it is from the USA. It is not an American film, it is a Canadian film. In the story the journalist writes the about the two Canadians making the film, andmentions Canada, but itedentifies the film as from the USA. He states: "På sporet av Michael Moore (Manufacturing Dissent) - dokumentar. USA 2007. Regi: Debbie Melnyk og Rick Caine. Med: Michael Moore, Melnyk, Caine, m.fl." How can it be from the USA when it comes from Toronto, Canada and is done by two Canadians Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine and is rcognised world-wide as a Canadian film? Is there a mindset in Noway that assumes everything from this side of the Atlantic Ocean is from the USA? The story was corrected after the mistake was pointed out to TV2. Why are there so many consistent errors about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture in the Norwegian press? Do Norwegian journalists not have a responsibility to their readers to verify facts before they publish a story? Why is so much of what is Canadian guessed or assumed to be American; or made to look American? The story was later corrected.

http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/innenriks/ibergen/article1521711.eceThis story is an example of how many Norwegian journalists can be sloppy in their reporting about Canada, and often don't understand that geographically North America is three countries - Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.A. In this story, the Norwegian journalist writes: "En canadisk mann er dømt til fengsel for å ha sex med en død hest." He further writes: "I Canada ble Bryan James Hataway fredag dømt til ni måneders fengsel for å ha hatt seksuell kontakt med en død hjort, melder Canadian Press." This is all wrong. This man is not a Canadian, not from Canada, this did not take place in Canada, and this is not what the Canadian Press reported. The Norwegian journalist has used the Canadian Press as a source, in which the Canadian Press was reporting about an American in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Canadian Press Story states: "SUPERIOR, Wis. - A Wisconsin man convicted of having sexual contact with a dead deer has been sentenced to nine more months in jail." (http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hiZ4j2OOEug3O3W7pEfVHLsp4TyQ). The U.S. state of Wisconsin is located in the U.S.A., not in the country of Canada. This man is an American, not a Canadian. This Norwegian story would be like a Canadian journalist using a Swedish Press story about a Swedish man having sex with a dead horse and writing it was a Norwegian, and took place in Norway. That would be extremely poor, unprofessional, and lazy journalism. It hard to believe that a story cleary marked as taking place in the USA, is reported to have taken place in Canada, by a Canadian, just because a Canadian source was used to report in the Norwegian press. The Canadian Press was created in 1917 to report about Canadian and international news, not just stories in Canada. The Canadian Press site states: "The Canadian Press continues to be an organization driven by a quest for first-rate journalism. We will keep Canadians informed and help them understand and experience their world more fully for many years to come." After sending Nettavisen an e-mail pointing out their errors, they changed fixed part of the story to correctly make reference to that fact it took place in the USA, but still made reference to him being a Canadian man under the photo caption. A second e-mail has to be sent to correct this mistake as well.

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Victoria er hovedstad på Seychellene, den er provinshovedstad i British Colombia i Canada." The province of British Columbia is spelt "British Columbia" not "British Colombia". Colombia is a country in South America. As well, the story states: "Kanadiske Vicotia ligger på Vancouver Island, i havet utenfor Canadas hovedstad Vancouver." The city of Vancouver is not Canada's capital; the City of Ottawa is Canada's Capital proclaimed by Canada's Queen Victoria in 1857, and is 4611 kilometres east of Vancouver in the province of Ontario.

http://www.side2.no/helse/article1659217.eceIn this story about the Province of Ontario in Canada the Norwegian journalist writes: "statsminister Dalton McGuinty." Prime Minister?? That is wrong, there is only one statsminister in Canada, and he is the Prime Minister of Canada, he represents all Canadians and the Government of Canada. Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories, and Ontario is a province in Canada. The leaders of Canadian provinces and territories in Canada are called "Premiers", and they are below the statsminister/Prime Minister of Canada. The correct Norwegian term for a Canadian Premier is "Premierminister."

This story is another excellent example of how many times Norwegian journalists do not list the country of Canada in stories about Canada. This story is not wrong, but often in Norwegian reporting a Canadian city or Canadian province may be mentioned but not the country. If is safe to say the majority of Norwegians do not know where these cities or provinces are in Canada. Would it not better service to the Norwegian to report the event or story comes from Canada? In this story the Norwegian journalist states: "utenfor Toronto" and "i Mississagua, Otario". There is nothing in this story that even helps to inform the Norwegian reader what country this story takes place. If a Norwegian reader is curious enough perhaps they would look up the location of Toronto or Mississauga in an atlas. In addition to the country not listed the name of the Canadian city of Mississauga and the Canadian province of Ontario have also been both spelt wrong by the TV2.

25) Fem omkom i flystyrt (By Thomas Olsen) 29 March 2008

http://www.nettavisen.no/verden/article1716915.eceIn this story, the Norwegian journalist writes: "Flyet var eid av firmaet A.D. Williams Engineering, og skulle frakte ansatte fra delstatshovedstaden Edmonton til et møte i Winnipeg, opplyser firmaets talskvinne Sue O'Connor." Delstatshovedstaden?? Albert is a province in Canada, not a state, so how can Edmonton be a state capital? Mexico and USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada does not. In fact, Canada has been using the French system of provinces for 345 years since 1663, when Canada became a Royal Province of France. Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, and the word in Norwegian is: provinshovedstaden. What is amazing about this story is that the Norwegian journalist has based his story off a story picked up from a South African news source - news24.com, in which the news24.com story writes: "Four men and one woman were confirmed dead in the crash of the PA-46 Piper Malibu, which went down in the morning near Wainwright, 225km southeast of Edmonton, the capital of Alberta province." Despite the fact the South African story clearly states Alberta is a province, the Norwegian journalist incorrectly refers to the provincial capital of Alberta as the state capital. The point here, is the Norwegian media often do not verify facts before they print stories about Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture. And even when their original news sources uses the correct term, they disregard they still don't get it right, as in the case of this story. Many in the Norwegian media often doesn't care to get the facts correct about Canada, often practises sloppy journalism when reporting about Canada, assumes what they know is correct about Canada, or just takes a guess. In any case, the number of mistakes relating to Canada in the Norwegian press exemplifies that many in the Norwegian press, whether from a local small town newspaper, to the larger national news media organisations, do not know much about Canada when reporting, and guess far too often, or even more bizarrely must think Canada is part of the USA, and not an independent country north of the USA.

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Li er siktet for forsettlig drap og måtte møte i retten i staten Manitoba i Canada." State?? This is wrong. Manitoba is a province in Canada, not a state. There are no states in Canada; and Canada has been using the French system provinces since Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. The link in the story from the U.K. paper states: "Vince Weiguang Li made the plea as heappeared before a court in the central Canadian province of Manitoba."The Norwegian word for province is "provins". After e-mailing the Norwegian journalist a correction was made.27) Fly traff hus - fire omkom (Mathias Rongved) 7 August 2007http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/verden/article1273904.eceIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes about the Canadian province of British Columbia in western Canada. British Columbia is a province (provins) in Canada, not a state as the journalist has written. Canada does not have and has never used states. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America that use states, Canada uses the French system of provinces and has been since 1663.28) Kåt sjåfør fikk ambulanse beslaglagt (Runa Hestmann Tierno) 6 December 2004http://arkiv.nettavisen.no/Nyhet/66703/Kåt+sjåfør+fikk+ambulanse+beslaglagt.htmlIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Kanadisk politi har nå beslaglagt ambulansen til mannen, med henvisning til den strenge anti-prostitusjonslovgivningen i delstaten. Episoden utspant seg i Alberta i Canada." This is not correct. Canada does not have states; it is divided by 10 provinces and three territories. Canada has been using provinces for 345 years since 1663 when Canada became a Royal Province of France. The Norwegian word for province is provins. An e-mail was sent to TV2, but a repsonse was not received and the mistake has never been corrected. The (Vær Varsom-plakaten) Code of Ethics of the Norwegian Press states: "4.13. Feilaktige opplysninger skal rettes og eventuelt beklages snarest mulig.4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given, as soon as possible."29) Oscar-vinner slo seg vrang (Gisle Stokland) 9 April 2009http://www.side2.no/musikk/article2601006.eceThere is nothing techinically wrong with this story at all. The journalist writes "Q TV-programleder Jian Ghomeshi på CBC kommer ikke til å glemme sitt påskeintervju med Billy Bob Thornton." What is Q-TV? What is CBC? Do most Norwegian readers know Q-TV and CBC? It seems they leave a lot for the Norwegians to guess and try to figure out on their own?30) Pandemikomiteen fraråder bruk av munnbind (By Olav Haugan) 29 April 2009http://www.tv2nyhetene.no/innenriks/article2705730.eceIn this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "I Canada er det bekreftet seks tilfeller i to stater. Det er også bekreftet et tilfelle i Costa Rica." Canada does not have states, it is divided internally by provinces, and has been for 346 years when Canada became a Royal Province of France in 1663. Mexico and the USA are the only two countries in North America with states, Canada has does not. The story was corrected the next day.31) «Star Trek» trekker galaktisk‏ (Gøril Huse) 10 May 2009http://www.side2.no/film/article2622350.eceIn this story the Norwegian journalists makes two mistakes. She writes: "På filmens åpningshelg spilte «Star Trek» inn sanseløse 461 millioner norske kroner i USA. Dermed har «Star Trek» vekket til live science-fiction-fansen for alvor." This is not correct. It should say: "På filmens åpningshelg spilte «Star Trek» inn sanseløse 461 millioner norske kroner i Nord-Amerika. Dermed har «Star Trek» vekket til live science-fiction-fansen for alvor." The total she writes is the total for North America (Canada and the Unites States, except Mexico), not just the USA. Reuters, clearly states the total is for the North American market. Reuters writes: "The new "Star Trek" movie beamed up an estimated $72.5 million in North American ticket sales its first weekend in theaters." Canada is not located in the USA, so how can the totals be for just the USA? What this journalist has written is like a Canadian journalist writing about ticket sales for a movie premiering in Sweden and Norway, or all of Scandinavia, and writing the sales are just for the country of Sweden. She also writes: "I tillegg kommer førpremierevisningene i torsdag og mottakelsen i Canada som gir ytterligere 25 millioner kroner i kassa, opplyser distributøren Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures studio i følge nyhetsbyrået Reuters." This is not correct either. The 25 millioner kroner she states is Thursday night sales in Canada and in the USA, not just Canada, and listed in U.S. currency. Reuters writes: "Combined with $4 million grossed from Thursday evening's preview screenings, "Star Trek" tallied $76.5 million in U.S. and Canadian receipts through Sunday, according to its distributor, Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures studio."

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "– De er et varselsignal, sier Lucas Brotz ved Columbia University til AP. Økningen forteller oss at havet er i ubalanse." This is a mistake. Lucas Brotz is a with the Canadian University of British Columbia, in the Canadian westcoast province of British Columbia in the country of Canada. The Norwegian writes it is the Columbia University, which is an American univesity located in the United States, not in even in the country of Canada, and Lucas Brotz is with the Canadian University of British Columbia, not the American Columbia University.

Int his breif story the Norwegian journalist writes: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i British Colombia, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende." This is another excellent example Norwegian media coverage. First, where is "British Colombia?" And second, "British Colombia" is spelt British Columbia." The point here is most Norwegian eaders of this story won't know where British Columbia is located, and most won't know it's a province in Canada. Would the Norwegian reader not be better informed if the story said: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i British Columbia i Kanada, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende." Adding in the country for frame of reference, and also spelling the name correctly.It's no wonder so many Norwegians are not well infomed about Canada, when there are so many errors, or omissions in the Norwegian media. For example, would Canadians reading a Canadian jounalist's media story stating: "Ved første øyekast kan sjansene for å vinne og overleve i det røffe terrenget i Finnmork, være små for utfordrerne. Men det er ikke alltid lurt å dømme noen etter utseende."

In this story the Norwegian journalist writes: "CBS News" as the source for her story. CBS News?? How can it be CBS News when there is no CBS News in Canada, and the story is from Canada? This is a mistake, as there is no CBS News in Canada; CBS News is from the USA, not from Canada. This is a good example of how sometimes a Norwegian jounalist will use a clearly indicated Canadian media source like CBC News (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - which is Canada's version of NRK, Britain's version of BBC), and somehow either guess or assume that since it's on the North America side of the Atlantic, that is must be American, and must be CBS from the USA. It's amazing how reading a Canadian source, from a clearly marked "CBC" news website get's changed to a USA news source, when the story doesn't even come from the USA. After two e-mail to TV2, the story was finally corrected, but nor reply or explaination was received from TV2. This is like a Canadian journalist using the Norwegian news source NRK to report about a Norwegian story from Norway, and renaming the Norwegian NRK after a Swedish or German news source.

No comments:

"OUR FOREFATHERS WILLED THIS COUNTRY INTO BEING" Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau,1976

“I know a man whose school could never teach him patriotism, but who acquired that virtue when he felt in his bones the vastness of his land, and the greatness of those who founded it.” - Pierre Trudeau, 15th Prime Minister of Canada / 15e Premier Ministre du Canada

The Canadian Government's citizenship guide, to be read by the 250,000+ new immigrants who arrive in Canada each year. In 2007 for example, Canada received 236,760 new immigrants. The top ten sending countries were China, India, Philippines, Pakistan, United States, United Kingdom, Iran, South Korea, Colombia, and Sri Lanka, closely followed by France, and Morocco. "According to Canada's Immigration Program (October 2004) Canada has the highest per capita immigration rate in the world." The Canadian citizenship Guide also includes the Canadian oath of citizenship: "I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen."

A SAMPLING OF COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM NORWEGIAN MEDIA AND CANADIAN READERS

The sloppiness and laziness of the Norwegian media [about Canada] has long been a pet peeve of mine - Canadian reader living in Oslo, Norway

The most pathetic case on your site was the paper that carefully considered whether to correct a simple mistake (Vancouver, USA), then made a conscious decision not to do so. Incredible!- Canadian reader living in Stavanger, Norway

Our editor in Chief is actually impressed by the way you spend time and energy on this. He always says that [our newspaper] has been better in this area just because of you - Large Norwegian Daily Newspaper, Oslo

First of all; thank you for your feedback! VG Nett always appreciate that our readers get back to us, either we do something right or wrong, and of course you are right regarding the numbers in the report. This was a story we picked up from a news agency, and I am afraid that I got it terribly wrong in converting the numbers from the original currency to Norwegian kroner (NOK). As you can read here, the wrong numbers are now removed from the article and replaced with the correct ones - VG Journalist

Thanks for noticing us about our mistake. It is now corrected. If you find any other information about Canada or Canadian universities in our web site, that need corrections or updates, I would appreciate you told me- University of Bergen

"4.13. Incorrect information must be corrected and, when called for, an apology given, as soon as possible...4.13. Feilaktige opplysninger skal rettes og eventuelt beklages snarest mulig...Ethical Code of Practice for the Press (printed press, radio and television). Adopted by the Norwegian Press Association November 25th, 2005. Each editor and editorial staff member is required to be familiar with these ethical standards of the press, and to base their practice on this code. The ethical practice comprehends the complete journalistic process from research to publication." (Photo: NP)

"Canadian cities boast the highest quality of life in North America."

The Canadian city of Vancouver above on the Canadian West Coast. "Canadian cities boast the highest quality of life in North America, with [the Canadian cities of] Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Calgary all ranking higher than major U.S. cities, according to a global survey released today. Vancouver has the best quality of living ..." - Globe and Mail Newspaper (2009). Sadly, many of these Canadian cities have been incorrectly located in a foreign country - the "USA" - in several Norwegian stories.

THE DOMINION OF CANADA - Land of the Midnight Sun / La terre du Soleil de minuit

SOME BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT CANADA: CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, FRENCH AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES OF CANDA, CANADIAN POLITICS, CANADIAN CURRENCY, AND OTHER CANADIAN INFORMATION BELOW

Le drapeau canadien / The National Flag of Canada

"Canada’s maple leaf flag was proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth II to take effect on February 15, 1965 – the day it was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa and in thousands of communities from coast to coast to coast."

Les armoiries royales du Canada / The Royal Arms of Canada

Queen Elizabeth II has visited Canada 23 times, more than any other Commonwealth nation. The Queen is the Canadian Head of State; the Canadian Prime Minister is the head of government. "As Queen of Canada, I have had the privilege of speaking to you on numerous occasions since my first visit in 1951. In doing so, I have attempted to convey the admiration and optimism I feel for this land and her diverse people. Your enduring ties to the Crown stand not only for a respect for heritage, but also for the principles of peace, order and good government developed by the Fathers of Confederation who envisaged and worked so diligently to make this country a reality. These nation builders entrusted these principles to us and we do well to remember this as we dedicate ourselves to building a better future for the people of this great country...It is a privilege to serve you as Queen of Canada to the best of my ability, to play my part in the Canadian identity, to uphold Canadian traditions and heritage, to recognize Canadian excellence and achievement, and to seek to give a sense of continuity in these exciting, ever-changing times in which we are fortunate enough to live." - Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. The Fathers of Canadian Confederation delibertaly chose to model Canada's system of government off of Great Britain's with the British Monarch and Crown as part of the Canadian system.

Gouverneur général du Canada / Governor General of Canada

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston / Son Excellence le très honorable David Johnston. "The role of the governor general dates back nearly 400 years to 1608 when Samuel de Champlain acted as the governor of New France [Canada]. He established what has become the oldest continuing public office in Canada [and North America]. Canada became a country at Confederation in 1867. Our system of government is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and Head of State. Sworn in on September 27, 2005, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor General since Confederation, represents the Crown in Canada and carries out the duties of head of State." - Rideau Hall

Speech from the Throne / Discours du Trône

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, former Govenor General of Canada reading the Speech from the Throne officially opening a new session of the Canadian Parliament (Photo: CBC).

The Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms guarantees certain political and civil rights of people in Canada from the policies and actions of all levels of government. It is designed to unify Canadians around a set of principles that embody those rights. The Charter was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada on April 17th 1982."

L’Ordre du Canada / The Order of Canada - Civilian Decoration

The "Order of Canada" is the centrepiece and highest civilian reward of Canada’s honours system and recognises a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognises people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to Canada. The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country).

Canadian Currency: From French Livre to the Pound Sterling to Canadian Dollar.

Prior to the British take over of Canada, the French "livre" was the currency of Canada. With the British take over in 1763, the Pound Sterling became common currency. By 1871, the Canadian Parliament passed the Uniform Currency Act, unifying Canadian currency as the Canadian dollar. The Canadian $5, $10, $50, & $100 notes feature Canadian Prime Ministers on the front, and various Canadian themes on reverse. The Canadian $20 features Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. There are not paper notes in Canada under $5 Canadian dollars. "Many dollar currencies around the world were initially based on the Spanish dollar and other 8-reales coins...As of 2007, the Canadian dollar was the 7th most traded currency in the world." (Wikipedia). The smallest paper note in Canadian currency is the $5 note. A common problem in some Norwegian media stories is often confusing Canadian currency (CAD$) from Canadian stories, with the USA's currency (USD$) thinking or assuming Canadian currency is the USA's currency. This of course would be a like a Canadian journalist writing a story about Norway with and using Sweden's currency, assuming or thinking this is the national currency of Norway. There are 26 world-wide circulating currencies named dollar: Australian dollar (1966) · Bahamian dollar (1966) · Barbadian dollar · Belize dollar · Bermudian dollar · Brunei dollar · Canadian dollar (1858) · Cayman Islands dollar · Cook Islands dollar · East Caribbean dollar · Fijian dollar · Guyanese dollar · Hong Kong dollar · Jamaican dollar · Kiribati dollar · Liberian dollar · Namibian dollar · New Zealand dollar (1967) · Samoan tala · Singapore dollar (dolar, வெள்ளி) · Solomon Islands dollar · Surinamese dollar · New Taiwan dollar · Trinidad and Tobago dollar (1964)· United States dollar (1758) · Zimbabwean dollar (Source: Wikipedia).

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) now known publicly as the "TMX" on Bay Street (Canada's version of "The City" in London, or "Wall Street" in the USA) is the largest stock exchange in Canada, the third largest in North America and the seventh largest in the world by market capitalisation. Based in Canada's largest city, Toronto." Major Canadian companies like Research in Motion (BlackBerry), IMAX Corporation, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, Royal Bank of Canada, and other International companies are listed and traded in Canada on the TSX. (Photo: TMX)

Six Canadian Time Zones / Six fuseaux horaires du Canada

Time Zones were originated in 1884 by a Canadian- Sir Sandford Fleming. The map above shows Canada's six time zones as legislated and as observed (Photo: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada).

La carte du Canada / Map of Canada

The world's 2nd largest country after Russia - 9,984,670 km2 (31x the size of Norway). Canada is divided internally by 10 provinces and three territories. Canada has been using the French system of provinces for over 345 years, since 1663, when Canada (New France) became a Royal Province of France. Canada's 10 provinces & territories are listed below. (Canada total population: 33 million).

CANADA'S INTERNAL DIVISIONS: TEN PROVINCES & THREE TERRITORIES BELOW........ [Special Note: According to the Canadian Government (Statistics Canada) figures from the 2001 Canadian national census, 363,760 Canadians, or 1.23% of Canadians, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background. The figures are also broken down by provinces and territories below for the benefit of Norwegian readers of this site. Most Norwegians immigrating to Canada from Norway and the USA settled in the two farthest western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta].

In the spring of 1870 the British colony of British Columbia sent a delegation to negotiate union with Canada. In 1871, British Columbia joined Canada as Canada's 6th province. Population: 4.5 million. (112,045 or 2.90% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Alberta (1905)

Carved of of Canada's Northwest Territories in 1905, by an Act of the Canadian Parliament, Alberta is Canada's oil capital, and Canada's sixth province. Alberta is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. Population: 3.6 million. (120,050 or 4.08% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Saskatchewan (1905)

Also carved out of Canada's Northwest territories and an Act of the Canadian Parliament in 1905, Saskatchewan is home to many Canadians of Norwegian decent. Population: 1+ million. (60,505 or 6.28% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Manitoba (1870)

Created by an Act of the Canadian Parliament in 1870, Manitoba has the largest French-Canadian population west of Ontario in Canada, over 120,000 lakes, and interestingly enough, the largest group of Canadian of Icelandic ethnic background outside of Iceland. Population: 1.1 million. (15,705 or 1.42% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Ontario (1867)

Formerly known as Upper Canada, and renamed Ontario in 1867, the province is one of the largest in Canada, and home of Canada's largest English speaking city - Toronto, Niagara Falls, and the national capital of Canada - Ottawa. Population: 13.5 million. (41,885 or 0.37% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province du Québec (1867)

Formerly Lower Canada, renamed the province du Québec at Canadian Confederation in 1867. The province is home to the ville de Montréal - the largest French speaking city in Canada - and the second largest French speaking city in the world after Paris. The provincial capital -Ville de Québec - is one of the oldest in Canada (and North America), and a declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2009, the ville de Québec celebrated its 401st birthday. Population: 7.7 million. (4,610 or 0.06% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province du Nouveau-Brunswick / Province of New Brunswick (1867)

New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick is one of Canada's Maritime provinces, and home to a large Acadian population. Population: 748,000 (2,490 or 0.35% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse (1867)

Based on Canada's east coast, the province of "New Scotland" has an incredible wealth of cultural heritage that includes Scotish, Gaelic, French, Acadian, Africian-Canadian, and Irish. Population: 940,000 (3,210 or 0.36% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Prince Edward Island is famous in Canada and around the world for many things; Norwegians would know best the famous "Anne fra Bjørkely" as she is known in Norway. Canada's 7th province joined Canada in 1873. The province, and the provincial capital is know as the "Birthplace of Canada" for the meeting of the Fathers of Confederation in Charlottetown, the provincial capital. Invited to join Canada in 1867, P.E.I., joined later in 1873. Population: 140,000 (325 or 0.24% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Province of Newfoundland and Labrador / Province de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (1949)

One of most interesting, beautiful, and historic provinces in Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador became Canada's 10th province in 1949. First discovered by the Norse around 1000 A.D., and later by John Cabot in 1497 A.D. sailing for England, the province was once an independent country from 1907 - 1934 A.D., as the Dominion of Newfoundland, constitutionally equal to Canada and Australia. In 1934, Newfoundland voluntarily gave up self-government and reverted back to direct control from London — one of the few countries that has ever voluntarily given up direct self-rule. In 1948, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians voted union with Canada, over independence. Population: 509,000 (1,180 or 0.23% of Canadians in the province, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Yukon (1898)

The Yukon is the smallest and most western of Canada's three federal territories. Created in 1898, it was named after the Yukon River, and perhaps is best known for the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. Population: 33,400 (1,080 or 3.79% of Canadians in the territory, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Northwest Territories / Les Territoires du Nord-Ouest (1870)

The present-day territory was created by the purchase of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory to the government of Canada in 1870. This immense region, mostly controlled by the Hundson's Bay Company as a private fur trading region, comprised almost all of non-confederation Canada except British Columbia, the coast of the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence River valley and the southern third of Quebec, the Maritimes, Newfoundland, and the Labrador coast. Population: 43,000 (585 or 1.58% of Canadians in the territory, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Nunavut (1999)

The northern territory of Nunavut (2,093,190 km2) meaning "our land" (in Inuktitut) was carved out of the Northwest Territories as a new territory of Canada, as part of a First Nations lands claim agreement between the Canadian Government and the Inuit of the territory. It was the first major change to the Canadian map since the addition of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949. Population: 31,556 (Nunavut: 85 or 0.32% of Canadians in the territory, reported themselves as having Norwegian ethnic background).

Prior to 1783 in Canada, most Canadians spoke French. After the conquest of Canada by the British from 1758-1763, and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, Canada became part of the British Empire; making Canada today a bilingual country of two official languages - French & English. After 1783, over 50,000 American refugees loyal to Britain left the recently independent United States, and came north to settle in British controlled Canada. With French being the dominant spoken language in Canada in 1783, these refugees are the basis of Canadian-English. And with millions of immigrants to Canada from Great Britain, the United States, and from around the world, Canadian English has been an tug-of-war between British-English and American-English ever since. Today, Canadian English is the language unique to Canadians, and "Talking Canadian" is an interest documentary on Canadian-English, spoken by English-Canadians. “Talking Canadian is....an amusing look at [the Canadian] accent, intonation and vocabulary – [of] how Canadians speak today, and how we will talk in the future…Few of us are aware that the language we speak – the words we use and the way we say them – has less to do with conscious choice than it has to do with our past: when and why we came here, where we settled and the tug of war between British and American influences, which has been part of our lives for centuries.” CBC/SRC

Je parle français: A Portrait of La Francophonie in Canada

"Je parle français" brings to life the richness and diversity of French speaking Canada.

Collins Dictionary of Canadian-French

A guide to contemporary Canadian-French vocabulary and language in the French speaking parts of Canada.

Canadian Oxford Dictionary of Canadian-English

Dictionary of Canadian-English containing 300,000 entries, including about 2,200 true Canadianisms. It provides information on Canadian pronunciation and on Canadian spellings in Canadian-English.

SOME BASIC CANADIAN HISTORY, INFORMATION & LINKS BELOW

1000 A.D. Icelandic Vikings Discover Canada (and North America)

Leif Eriksson Sights Newfoundland, Canada. "The first confirmed European settlement [in North America], built about A.D. 1000, was the Viking enclave at L’Anse aux Meadows at the tip [of the province] of Newfoundland and Labrador [in Canada]. Discovered in 1960 by Norwegians, the Canadian Government (Parks Canada) has reconstructed the site. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "When occupied, it contained eight sod houses and an iron smelter. This might be the Vinland of Norse sagas, which describe encounters with an unknown people, possibly Dorset or Beothuk." - Canadian Geographic Magazine

1497 A.D. John Cabot Discovers (or re-discovers) the Island of Newfoundland and North America.

Sailing for the English King as John Cabot, Italian navigator and explorer Giovanni Caboto, reaches "new found land" in Canada in 1497. The "new found land" will become the name of the island and later the Province of Newfoundland in Canada. Cabot reaches the same island in Canada the Icelandic Vikings had reached some 500 years earlier. The local monument states: "Cabot's Landing - On the 24th, June, 1497 in the 'Mathew' out of Bristol, England, with a crew of eighteen men, John Cabot discovered the continent of North America. His landfall, 'first land seen,' was believed to have been the lofty headland of North Cape Breton. It is to commemorate this important event that this monument has been erected by the Cape Breton historical society." Above, a Canadian Government monument at the site.

The name "Canada" added to the world map in 1534, with France becoming Canada's first colonial master. French attempts at colonisation of Canada (New France) begins in 1541. "This colony was the first known European settlement in modern day Canada since the c.1000 AD L'Anse aux Meadows Viking village in northern Newfoundland [in Canada]. Its rediscovery has been hailed by archaeologists as the most important find in Canada since the L'Anse aux Meadows rediscovery."

1605 A.D. L'Habitation de Port-royal / Port Royal is built by the French in Nova Scotia, Canada

L'Habitation de Port-royal / Port Royal is the first permanent European settlement in North America north of Florida, having been founded in 1605 by Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons and Samuel de Champlain.

1608 (July 3rd) A.D. Founding of the City of Québec, and the heart of French Canada

Ville de Québec is one of the oldest European settlements in Canada (and North America), and one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. While many of the major cities in Mexico date from the sixteenth century, among cities in the Canada only St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (1583); Port Royal, Nova Scotia (1605); and Tadoussac, Quebec (1600) are older than Quebec City. The walls surrounding Vieux-Québec are the only remaining fortified city walls in North America north of Mexico. In 2009, the city celebrated its 401st anniversary.

1730s-40s A.D. Explorations of Canadian Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye

Canadian fur trader, solider, and explorer (born in Trois-Rivières, Canada), along with his sons, discover large parts of Western Canada, claiming the land for France. He is also the first white man to discover and reach what is today the USA states of North Dakota, and parts of Minnesota; also claiming this land for France. Two of his sons penetrated further into today's mid-western United States, reaching the Big Horn Mountains (Wyoming state), the Black Hills (South Dakota state). This Canadian claims of this land for Canada's colonial master - France. This Canadian explorer names the large point (the large fork) in the la rivière Rouge (Red River) and sets up a trading post at what becomes the North Dakota (USA) city of "Les Grandes Fourches" (originally named in French, and in 1870 the Americans change it to English as Grand Forks). His sons build Fort Pierre (now the South Dakota state capital of Pierre), and placed an inscribed lead tablet that reads in Latin: “In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Louis XV, the most illustrious Lord, the Lord Marquis of Beauharnois being Viceroy, 1741, Peter Gaultier de la Verendrye placed this.” La Verendryes and his sons are just some of the incredible number of born in Canada, French speaking Canadian explorers from Quebec that discover, name, and claim much of North America for France. In 1803 the United States purchases from France (Louisiana Purchase / Vente de la Louisiane) 2,147,000 km2 of French territory that includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota adding additional land to the USA's westward expansion in North America.

1758-1763 A.D. British Conquest of Canada & the Seven Years' War

Starting in 1758, the British began their campaign to remove the French from Canada and North America. The defeat of the French at Louisbourg (Nova Scotia) in 1758; the fall of Quebec in 1759; the surrender of Montreal to the British in 1760; and the handing over of Canada by treaty to the British in 1763 means the end of the French Empire in North America. In 1763, Britain becomes colonial masters of France’s French speaking Canada. Painting above depicts the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and the fall of the Quebec to the British, September 13th, 1759. The French and the Canadiens endured a summer long siege of the city by 20,000 British troops, and 200 British ships (1/4 of the entire British navy).

1774 A.D. The Quebec Act (Canada)

In 1774, the Quebec Act is passed by the British parliament relating to the governance of the Province of Quebec (formerly known Canada / New France, now renamed the Province of Quebec in the British Royal Proclamation of 1763). The Quebec Act maintains French civil law, guarantees the Canadians freedom to practice their Catholic religion, and recognises and expands Canada's boundaries prior to 1763 (which is now part of USA states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota). The Act helps to protect and maintain French laws and customs of the Canadians (still 99% French speaking) in North America. In the still British controlled American colonies, American colonial leaders and settlers see the Quebec Act very differently. They are “enraged when Québec acquire[s] the Indian territory, which they perceived to be theirs by right; they considered the Quebec Act one of the "Intolerable Acts" (along with the Boston Port Act, etc.) which contributed to the outbreak of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.” – Canadian Encyclopaedia

1775 A.D. American Revolutionary Forces Invade Canada at Quebec

1775 A.D. Canada is invaded at Quebec by American colonial rebel forces during the U.S. War of Independence in the winter of 1775. American Continental Army Brigadier-General Richard Montgomery and General Benedict Arnold, travelled with great difficulty through the wilderness of Maine to invade Canada at Quebec. The two American forces joined there, but were defeated by the British and Canadians at the Battle of Quebec in December 1775. The photo above shows two plaques (one in French, one in English) marking the spot on Sault-au-Matelot in Quebec City where the Americans were defeated, and the city was saved. The plaques read "Here stood her old and new defenders uniting gaurding saving CANADA defeating Arnold at the Sault-au-Matelot barricade on the last day of 1775 GUY CARLETON commanding at Quebec."

1776 A.D. Canadians Reject the American Revolution

"The United States declared independence [from Great Britain] on July 4, 1776. The American Continental Congress attempted to convince Canadians to join them [to rise up against their British Conquerors from 1758-1763] in a poorly-worded letter, but French Canadians chose to stay neutral. This was attributed in part to the Québec Act, 1774, which protected the Catholic faith and the social hierarchy - something they doubted that Americans would do." Other British colonies that would one day be part of Canada, like Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, are not interested in joing the American rebels and their revolution.

1783 A.D. Canada Remains Loyal to Great Britain as the United States Receives Independence

Canada and Canadians remain loyal to Great Britain as the United States gains independence from Great Britain with the Treay of Paris in 1783. The British presence on the map of North America is reduced to half the continent, mainly Britain's French and English speaking colonies above the Great Lakes. This area (red on map) of North America is Canada and "British North America." In 1783, the majority of Canadians are French speaking. The influx of American refugees to Canada in 1783-1784 changes English in Canada forever.

1783-1784 A.D. Canada Receives 50,000 English speaking American Refugees Loyal to Great Britain

Loyalty to Great Britain for the Americans on the loosing side of the U.S. War of Independence, meant exodus and exile for many by their fellow Americans for being loyal to Britain in their fight not to become independent from Great Britain. Some 100,000 English speaking Americans, loyal to Great Britain became American refugees from the recently independent United States. The migration of these American refugees "loyal" to the Great Britain and the British Crown causes the largest mass exodus of refugees in the history of North America. Many of these 100,000 exiled "Loyalists" move to other British lands, but nearly half seek sanctuary in British controlled Canada, pioneering untamed lands in parts of Canada given to them by the British Crown in what is today the provinces of New Brunswick, Ontario, and other parts of Canada. Even with this influx of English speaking refugees, Canada is still dominated by French speaking Canadians, and this almost "overnight" arrival of new Loyalists with "American-English" dialect becomes part of the working basis for Canadian-English. Almost overnight, the English language in Canada is permanently changed, as the Loyalists grow in numbers. Millions of British immigrants are brought directly to Canada from England, Scotland, & Ireland, and soon start to out number the larger French speaking Canadians and the French language in Canada.

1812 A.D. The War of 1812 (1812 - 1815). In 1812, the United States invades Canada.

In 1812 the United States declares war on Great Britain, and British controlled Canadian territory is invaded by the United States in an attempt to take Canada from the British and Canadians by force. From 1812 onwards, Canada is invaded and, at times, partially occupied by U.S. troops until the American invaders are beaten back to the U.S. by British and Canadian forces. The War represents the first ever foreign invasion of a country by the United States, the first ever war loss of the United States (their goal being to capture Canada), and the founding of the U.S. national anthem. Future (3rd) American President Thomas Jefferson boastfully claims the capture of Canada is "a mere matter of marching." Henry Clay, 19th century American statesman from Kentucky (also future U.S. Secretary of State) claims "We have Canada as much under our command as Great Britain has the ocean... God has given us the power..." In Canada, British & Canadian victories unites the Canadian people to help the British fight the American invaders, and sets the stage for the emergence of the Canadian nation and Canadian nationality in North America, and within the British Empire. In 1819, the U.S. acquired Florida on its souther border, after picking a fight with Spain. In Canada, fearing the United States during the U.S. Civial War in the 1860s, four of Britain's Canadian colonies (Upper Canada - Ontario, Lower Canada - Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick) unite for their protection, and form a new nation - the Dominion of Canada in 1867. By 1871, Canada stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacfic as new provinces are added to the Canadian Nation. Canada's independence from Britain in 1867 represents the first time in world history colonists negotiate peacefully with their mother country for independence.

1860s A.D. North to Canada for Freedom: Canada & the Underground Railway

“Canada is not merely a neighbour to Negroes. Deep in [African-American] history of struggle for freedom Canada was the North Star. The Negro slave, denied education, de-humanized, imprisoned on cruel plantations, knew that far to the north a land existed where a fugitive slave, if he survived the horrors of the journey, could find freedom. The legendary underground railroad started in the south and ended in Canada. The freedom road links us together. Our spirituals, now so widely admired around the world, were often codes. We sang of 'heaven' that awaited us, and the slave masters listened in innocence, not realizing that we were not speaking of the hereafter. Heaven was the word for Canada and the Negro sang of the hope that his escape on the underground railroad would carry him there. One of our spirituals, 'Follow the Drinking Gourd', in its disguised lyrics contained directions for escape. The gourd was the big dipper, and the North Star to which its handle pointed gave the celestial map that directed the flight to the Canadian border.” - Words of American Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Interview on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Massey Lectures, 1967). During the 19th-century, thousands of enslaved and many free African-Americans fled the United States and made their way to Mexico and Canada where they could live as free citizens. "Here the slave found freedom. Before the United States Civil War 1861-65 Windsor [in Canada] was an important terminal of the Underground Railway. Escaping from bondage, thousands of fugitive slaves from the [U.S.] South, men women and children landing near this spot found in Canada friends, freedom, protection under the British flag." - Historical plaque - Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Thirty-six enterprising men, known as the "Fathers of Confederation," shared the vision for uniting Britain's Canadian colonies into a great country. Their vision and efforts in the 1860s create a new nation - The Dominion of Canada - out of Britain's remaining French and English speaking colonies in North America. The foundation of modern Canada is laid, and by 1949, 10 provinces make up the Canadian nation and two territories, a third territory in 1999 is created. United as a federation of French and English speaking Canadians for strength and security, Canada is the only Constitutional Monarchy in North America.

"The Québec Conference was the second delegate conference leading to creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867 by Canadian and colonial delegates. After the enthusiastic reception given to the delegates from the Province of Canada at the Charlottetown Conference in September 1864, John A. Macdonald asked Governor Monck to invite representatives from the three Maritime colonies and Newfoundland to meet with the United Canada delegates in Québec in October 1864. In Charlottetown, the Canadian delegation had proposed the foundations for a new country: preservation of ties with Great Britain; residual jurisdiction left to a central authority; a bicameral system including a Lower House with representation by population (rep by pop) and an Upper House with representation based on regional, rather than provincial, equality; responsible government at the federal and provincial levels; and the appointment of a governor general by the British Crown."

1867 (March 29th) A.D. Queen Victoria gives Royal Assent to the British North America Act

Canadian Confederation (Union of Britain's French and English speaking colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick) becomes law as an Act of the British Parliament in March 1867, to take affect 1st of July 1867 for the union and independence of the Dominion of Canada from Great Britain. The Dominion of Canada becomes the 4th modern country in the world to form a Confederation as a new nation after the Germany Confederation, Switzerland, and the USA.

1867 (1 July) A.D. The formation of the Dominion of Canada on the 1st of July.

On the 1st of July 1867, Canada celebrates its independence from Great Britain, and the birth of a new nation in North America. Until 1982, the 1st of July national holiday is celebrated as Dominion Day. After 1982, the holiday is changed to Canada Day / La fête du Canada. "For many in the new Dominion of Canada, the day held magic and promise. One young girl in Hamilton, Ontario described the evening celebrations in her diary.'There was the dark and then there was the light of a candle... then there was the opening of the great door, and the rush of cool, fresh air, and the deep darkness. 'Oh, Look!' said a voice. The sky was suddenly full of shooting stars. There were fountains of stars, coloured red and green and blue... 'This is the First of July, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty seven,' (my) father said, 'always remember this day, and this night. You are a very lucky little girl, to be a child in Canada, today.'" (CBC)

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) / Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) were “born out of a need for a national police force to implement [Canadian] law in Canada’s newly acquired western territories, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has evolved into a world-renowned organization of more than 28,000 people.” In May 1873, the Parliament of Canada established a mounted police force known as the North-West Mounted Police to protect and maintain Canadian sovereignty in the Canadian West from encroachment of American Whisky traders illegally crossing the Canadian border into Canada to sell whisky and other goods to Aboriginal Canadians with dire effects. Fearing the United States and their efforts to try to acquire Canada's western territory, Sir John A. MacDonald, the Canadian Prime Minister at the time, wrote of his concern, saying, ''It is quite evident to me that the United States Government are resolved to do all they can short of war to get possession of the western territory and we must take immediate and vigorous steps to counteract them.'' To counter the threat of possible U.S. annexation of Canadian lands in the Canadian West, Prime Minister Macdonald creates a new Canadian Province in the West - Manitoba - in 1870, and creates the North-West Mounted Police, a paramilitary force used to push the illegal Amerian whisky traders out of the Canadian West, protect Canadian sovereignty from the United States, and help to establish law and order, and peaceful settlement of the Canadian West before mass settlement soon to begin.

1897 A.D. Gold is Discovered in the Klondike in Canada's Yukon

In 1896 gold is discovered in the Klondike in northern Canada, and the Klondike Gold Rush begins. In 1897, news spreads and the frenzied rush of gold prospectors to Canada’s north compels the Canadian Government to pass the Yukon Act in parliament, creating the Yukon Territory in 1898 to help ensure Canadian sovereignty in the Canadian north. Canada’s North-West Mounted Police (renamed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police / GRC in 1921) on February 26, 1898 hoist the Britain’s Union Jack (Canada’s flag at the time) at the Chilkoot Summit ready (above photo) to collect customs from prospectors entering Canadian territory. (Yukon Archives, E.J. Hamacher fonds (Margaret and Rolf Hougen collection), 2002/118 #872).

Norwegian explorer Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen becomes the first person to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage in Canada's Northwest Territories in northen Canada. Today, Gjøa Haven is a community located on the southeast coast of King William Island where Amundsen spent two winters with his ship the Gjøa. The Gjøa is on display at the Fram Museum in Oslo, Norway. His achievement is a well known event in Canadian and Norwegian history. In 2003, the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) names one of its icebreakers "CCGS Amundsen" in his honour.

1930 A.D. The Canadian Government acquires 3 major islands discovered by Norwegian Otto Sverdrup

Canada acquires for $67,000 (Canadian currency) three major Norwegian discovered islands (Axel Heiberg, Ellef Ringnes, & Amund Ringnes) in the Canadian Arctic from the Norwegian explorer who had discovered and claimed them for Norway (see map at bottom).

“To the valour of their countrymen in the Great War and in memory of their sixty thousand [Canadian] dead this monument is raised by the people of Canada.” (Inscription on monument). For a nation of just eight million people at the time of the Great War, Canada's war effort was widely regarded as remarkable. In World War One a total of 619,636 men and women served in the Canadian forces, and of these 66,655 were killed and another 172,950 were wounded. For Canada's war dead and sacrifice this Canadian War Memorial is rased in France in 1936.

1939-1945 A.D. World War 2 - September 10, the Government of Canada declares war on Germany.

Above, a Canadian WWII recruting poster. "At the beginning of the war, Canada was the oldest Dominion in the British Commonwealth. As a nation, it was, for the most part, reluctant to return to war. Nonetheless, Canadians entered the Second World War united with Great Britain, through Commonwealth association, and from a population of only 11 to 12 million, [Canada] eventually raised very substantial armed forces. Over the course of the war, 1.1 million Canadians served in the [Canadian] army, navy, and air force. Of these more than 45,000 lost their lives and another 54,000 were wounded." (Wikipedia). "With France under occupation and the Americans maintaining neutrality, Canada became Britain's leading ally in the early years of the Second World War." (CBC). Nationalities from all over the world train in Canada as pilots in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The BCATP graduates "131,533 pilots, observers, flight engineers, and other aircrew for the air forces of Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand", and also 680 Norwegians.

1962 A.D. Canada Launches the Alouette 1 Satellite

Canada becomes the third country after the Soviet Union and the USA, to put a satellite into orbit. Alouette comes from the French word "skylark" and from the title of a Canadian folk-song "Alouette." "It embodies Canadian leading expertise and excellence in space science and technology which continues today through critical space initiatives to deliver benefits to Canadians." - Dr. Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency / Agence spatiale canadienne (Photo: Canadian Space Agency / Agence spatiale canadienne).

2004 A.D. Canada Post Issues Sverdrup Canadian Stamp

Canada Post / Postes Canada issues a series of Canadian stamps to commemorate Otto Sverdrup's (1854-1930) explorations in the Canadian Arctic.

2006 A.D. Canadian BlackBerry® Telephones Launched in Norway.

Canada's Research In Motion® & Trigcom Introduce the Canadian BlackBerry In Norway. Sadly, most Norwegian coverage of this Canadian phone focus on its success in the USA, and often refers to the company and technology as being from the USA and being American (Photo: BlackBerry)

"How the Battle of the Plains of Abraham [in Canada] changed the World" By Mr. D. Peter MacLeod

"Two hundred and fifty years ago [1759] this summer, a long English campaign to drive France out of Canada came to a bloody end in a few minutes of savage, close-range musket fire on the plains outside the walls of Quebec City. But as D. Peter MacLeod writes, din from the battle over what Voltaire once called "a few acres of snow" still echoes both here at home and around the globe. Finally, the French and British governments decided that they had had enough. Peace negotiations began in the fall of 1762; delegates concluded the Treaty of Paris on Feb. 10, 1763. During the negotiations, the French had one last chance to try to get Canada back. They chose to trade Canada for Guadeloupe, a Caribbean sugar island, and pushed hard and successfully for access to the Newfoundland fisheries. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the Plains of Abraham became one of the great battles of world history. Under the terms of the treaty, France ceded all its possessions in northeastern North America to Britain. This included French claims to First Nations territory east of the Mississippi. The British agreed to respect the Catholicism of Canadians and gave French subjects 18 months to depart for France if they desired. They ceded the Islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to France, to serve as a base for French fishers, and allowed the French to fish in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and dry their catch along part of the Newfoundland coast. Britain returned Cuba and the Philippines to Spain; Spain ceded Florida to Britain and (under a separate agreement with France) received in exchange all "French" territory west of the Mississippi. This included the French colony of Louisiana and a vast tract of land belonging to First Nations extending from the Gulf of Mexico to beyond what is now the Canadian-American border. All of eastern North America from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson Bay and the Atlantic to the Mississippi River now came under British sovereignty, at least as far as Europeans were concerned. The British occupation of Canada had become a conquest.Imperial AmericaFor the world at large, the removal of a great power from the North American mainland was far more important than the people it left behind. National humiliation aside, France came out of the Seven Years' War in North America very well. The war had, in effect, downsized their expensive and unproductive land-based North American empire to a hugely valuable fishing station on the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Moreover, as a British possession, Canada would prove to be far more dangerous to Britain than it had ever been in the hands of the French. Long before the outbreak of the Seven Years' War, most of Britain's North American colonies were nascent independent states. Governed by local elites, they were self-financing, economically and demographically robust, and capable when necessary of raising their own fleets and armies. By the 1770s, moreover, British America possessed a galaxy of outstanding leaders, of whom George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were only the most prominent. Both local and transatlantic observers agreed that these colonies were nations in waiting. "I have been told by Englishmen," wrote Pehr Kalm, a Swedish botanist who toured North America in 1749 and 1750, "and not only by such as were born in America but also by those who came from Europe, that the English colonies in North America, in the space of 30 or 50 years, would be able to form a state by themselves entirely independent of Old England." The only obstacle in their path was Canada. Back in 1732, James Logan, a prominent Pennsylvania politician, had confidently asserted that the American colonies would never lose their loyalty to the British empire. "While Canada is so near, they cannot rebel." Kalm agreed. "As the whole country which lies along the seashore is unguarded, and on the land side is harassed by the French, these dangerous neighbours in times of war are sufficient to prevent the connection of the colonies from their mother country from being broken off." The Battle of the Plains of Abraham changed all that. Under British control, Canada was just as close, but no longer a threat. Some British soldiers, among them James Murray, had thought all along that a British Canada would be less a conquered colony than an incitement to American rebellion. In 1760, he confided his fears to a French infantry officer, the Comte de Malartic, then awaiting repatriation to France."Do you think," asked Murray, who would become governor of Quebec under the British, "that we will give Canada back to you?""I am not," replied the French officer, "sufficiently familiar with high policy to see so far ahead.""If we are wise, we won't keep it. New England needs a bridle to keep it under control, and we will give it one by not holding on to this country."Murray's fears to the contrary, the British conquest of Canada did not in itself cause an American rebellion.Victory in the Seven Years' War produced a transatlantic outburst of triumphal pride in Britain and British America. Americans never felt more British than just before they tore the empire apart. Winning the Seven Years' War, however, had left the British government with a huge debt and more colonial interest groups than it could handle. Imposing taxes on the colonies to pay off war debts and support a North American garrison alienated many British colonials. So did attempts to accommodate non-British groups inside the empire by granting religious freedom and civil rights to Canadian Catholics and limiting western expansion to preserve the peace with First Nations. It soon became apparent that the British had chosen the worst possible time to antagonize their American colonists. With the French threat eliminated, the American colonies no longer needed British protection. With France humiliated in war and alarmed by the rising power of the British empire, American rebels found a partner looking for a chance to cut Britain down to size and willing to support an American rebellion to do it. Beginning in 1775 British colonials from New England to Georgia who had come to see themselves as Americans rather than Britons rose up in rebellion against the Crown. Financed by French subsidies, equipped with French weapons, and assisted by French troops and warships, the American colonies won their independence and formed the United States of America. And this was only the beginning. The French defeat in the Seven Years' War had cost Native Americans a proven ally whose principal goal in North America was keeping First Nations land out of American hands. The American Revolution eliminated an imperial authority that had tried to stand between American settlers and Native homelands. The British remained occasional allies for American First Nations until the end of the War Of 1812. After that, Native Americans faced the United States without the support of a European partner. With the French and British out of the way and Native resistance crippled, American settlers and soldiers drove straight west for the Pacific. Along the way, they seized some of the richest territory in the world. As French strategists had predicted, Americans overran huge chunks of the former Spanish empire, making California, Florida, and Texas into states and northern Mexico into the American southwest. In the course of the 19th century, Americans made their country into a power to be reckoned with. In the 20th, it became a superpower. By the first decade of the 21st century, America was the most powerful nation in human history. From landing at Normandy to landing on the Moon, every time the United States acts as a global power, the world reverberates to the echoes of the gunfire on the Plains of Abraham and the scratching of the pens that signed the Treaty of Paris.Canadian EmpireThe consequences of the Seven Years' War did not end with the destruction of the French empire in North America, the expulsion of the British from their traditional American colonies, and the creation of the United States. Almost unnoticed by the world at large, the Seven Years' War and American Revolution created a second North American country. In Canada, French- and English-speaking militia joined with British regulars to defeat American rebels besieging Quebec City. In Nova Scotia, local Loyalists withstood a siege in Fort Cumberland and put down an incipient rebellion. The victorious colonies that had supported the Crown in 1776 united in 1867 to form the Dominion of Canada, a self-governing federation within the British empire.Prior to 1783, most Europeans in Canada spoke French. Following the American Revolution, tens of thousands of American Loyalists [American refugees] and Native allies of the British sought sanctuary in what is now Canada. The arrival of the American refugees added a significant anglophone component to Canada's European population. Reinforced by successive waves of immigrants from the United States and Britain, English-speakers became a dominant majority in British North America. This tidal wave of anglophones represented an unmitigated disaster for Canadian First Nations. Previous large-scale European settlement had been confined to the St. Lawrence valley and Atlantic coast. Loyalist immigrants pushed the settlement frontier up the St. John River into the New Brunswick interior and past Montreal into what is now southern Ontario. Although peaceful, this migration nonetheless resulted in the transfer of huge blocks of territory from Native to European control. It began a cycle of treaties and occupation of First Nations territory that would not end until settlers moving westward from Montreal encountered settlers moving inland from the Pacific coast. Sometimes treaties weren't enough. To secure the Prairies, Ottawa sent an army to occupy the Red River settlement in 1870 and fought a war in 1885 to crush Cree and Métis resistance. In British Columbia, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines imposed British sovereignty over the Pacific coast through a series of attacks on Native communities in the second half of the 19th century. The great majority of First Nations, however, chose diplomacy over violence. Their policy was best articulated by Cree chief Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear) in 1879. "We should not fight the Queen with guns. We should fight her with her own laws." Attempting to negotiate reasonable terms for land surrenders, then working to hold Ottawa to these terms as Native negotiators understood them (written versions of treaties frequently failed to reflect verbal agreements) began a process which continues today. Canadian politicians took the land thus acquired from First Nations and assembled a transcontinental federation out of the post-American Revolution British empire in the east, the Hudson Bay drainage basin in the centre, and British Columbia in the west.French and English CanadiansInside this transcontinental federation, Quebec became the heartland of a French-Canadian population extending all the way across North America. For if New France had vanished, French Canada survived, trapped inside the British empire. Within a generation of the Conquest and the return to France of the officials and officers who had governed Canada, French Canadians produced new leaders who worked within the framework of the British parliamentary system to defend their language and culture. Strength of numbers, skilled political leadership, and partnerships with anglophones won them a secure place within the new Canada. But they remained second-class citizens in their own country. Until after the Second World War, most English-speaking Canadians saw themselves as British. The slogan on an 1898 Canadian postage stamp proudly proclaimed not just membership in, but part-ownership of, the British empire. "We hold a greater empire than has ever been." This was perhaps not surprising, given the language, culture, and history that they shared with British communities throughout that empire and the immense prestige and power of an empire that had bounced back from defeat in the American Revolution and gone on to seize vast territories in Asia, Africa and Australia. Seeing themselves as British did not prevent anglophones from developing a strong parallel identity as Canadians. But they found it hard to simultaneously identify with British people around the world and French Canadians at home. Many harboured very strong anti-francophone, anti-Catholic opinions. In 1936, George Drew, future premier of Ontario, leader of the opposition in Ottawa, and Companion of the Order of Canada, neatly summed up the views of anglophones of this persuasion regarding both the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and the role of francophones in Canada. "It is not unfair to remind the French that they are a defeated race, and that their rights are rights only because of the tolerance of the English." English Canada's unofficial anthem, The Maple Leaf Forever, pulled no punches. Inspired by the beauty of a fallen maple leaf, it exults in the crushing of the French on the Plains of Abraham. In days of yore, From Britain's shore,Wolfe the dauntless hero came [in 1759],And planted firm Britannia's flag,On Canada's fair domain.A few lines later, the song depicts Canada as the product of formerly hostile ethnic groups coming together to build a new country. The thistle (Scots), shamrock (Irish), rose (English) entwine, The Maple Leaf Forever. There was no hint that French Canadians might play a role in the new country, and no reference whatsoever to First Nations. It seems almost incredible today, but for a century after Confederation, the Canadian government worked almost exclusively in English. Inscriptions on Canadian currency remained exclusively English until the 1930s. Anglophones could and did become prime minister without speaking a word of French; an unwritten law prevented francophones from serving as federal minister of finance until 1977. English-Canadian voters elected provincial politicians who outlawed the teaching of francophone students in French in Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick. Inside Quebec, anglophones behaved like a colonial ruling caste, controlling much of the economy on their own account or on behalf of American or British investors. English-Canadian identification with the British empire brought Canada into the South African War and the two world wars. They did so over the objections of most French Canadians, who saw the world from a more Canadian perspective. This did not prevent large numbers of French Canadians from participating, often heroically, in Canada's overseas wars. It did mean that while overseas wars brought English Canadians closer together, they drove English and French Canadians further apart. These divisions peaked during the last years of the First World War. An English-speaking prime minister, desperately seeking replacements for casualties in the Canadian Corps, rigged the 1917 election to produce an anglophone government that implemented conscription in the following year. This use of the power of the federal state to compel francophones to submit to the will of the English Canadian majority produced outrage in Quebec. Although only a small minority of conscripts actually reached the front, this episode produced deep and lasting bitterness in Quebec against both English Canadians and the federal government.A generation later, heavy infantry casualties and vocal anglophone demands led to the return of conscription during the Second World War. More sensitive handling by the federal government and an absence of violent resistance did not prevent the issue from further alienating Quebec francophones from their English-Canadian compatriots. In the second half of the 20th century, two competing groups of francophone politicians sought to overturn the British conquest. One attempted to make Quebec an independent state, the other to carve out a larger place for all Francophones in the larger Canadian community. The Quebec independence movement achieved two signal triumphs, which more or less cancelled each other out. For two centuries after the Conquest, Quebec francophones identified themselves with French-speakers all across Canada. With the rise of Quebec nationalism, they assumed a new identity as Québécois, a nation that could reasonably aspire to independence. Abandoned by the Québécois, French Canada outside Quebec reinvented itself as a network of francophone communities, composed of Acadians, Franco-Ontarians, Franco-Manitobans, Fransaskois, Franco-Albertans, and Franco-Columbiens. When they first formed a government, however, the nationalists of the Parti Québécois passed Loi 101, the Charter of the French Language (also known as Bill 101). By knocking English off its pedestal and strengthening the position of French in Quebec, the charter inadvertently made Canada a much more comfortable place for Québécois. This did not prevent a majority of Quebec Francophones from voting for self-determination in a 1995 referendum. But over time it took some of the edge off demands for independence. While Québécois nationalists sought independence, a federalist coalition of francophones and anglophones embarked upon a sweeping program to make official Canada less British, more French, and ultimately more Canadian. Most notably, they replaced British symbols with Canadian icons, including the Maple Leaf flag, and compelled the federal government to function in both English and French, making both careers and public services equally available to anglophones and francophones. The numerous anglophone opponents of these measures made frequent allusions to the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. "Wolfe defeated Montcalm," declared one, "and flew the British flag on Quebec territory. The people of Quebec should remember that before they demand too much." Yet at the same time, more and more anglophones were coming to see themselves as Canadian citizens rather than British subjects and becoming more concerned about their relations with francophones in Canada than with British people overseas. They discarded James Wolfe as a popular hero, stopped singing The Maple Leaf Forever, and generally supported measures that would make Canada as much a country for francophones as it was for anglophones. A great many Canadians from Africa, Asia, and Latin America missed the whole Plains-of-Abraham-Wolfe-the-dauntless-hero triumphalist phase and don't seem to feel the loss. Canada still has two parties, one provincial, one federal, dedicated to making Quebec an independent state. Québécois nationalism remains a powerful force, and the possibility remains that the contemporary Canada that was in part created by the Battle of the Plains of Abraham will one day be destroyed by it.Two Hundred and Fifty Years LaterParticipants in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham fought for the French empire, the British empire, the Hurons, the Odawas, the Crees, or any one of a dozen other First Nations. But the ultimate result of their battle was the division of the Native lands of North America between two countries so large that they became empires in their own right.The two imperial states continue to dominate the continent. The United States remains an economic, cultural, and military colossus. Canada, against all odds, survives as a French- and English-speaking country. Two hundred and fifty years after the event, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham continues to shape our lives and our world."

"When first nations people travel south of the border [to the USA] , we don't experience the same sense of leaving that other Canadians do. We see ourselves in Indian country on both sides of the line [Canada- USA internationalborder]. First of all, our populations are equal -- there are just as many first nations [Native-Canadians] people in Canada as there are [Native-Americans] in the United States. As well, most aboriginal people in both countries live in cities rather than reserves, and living conditions are much the same. Many of our tribes overlap and we have relations on both sides of the border. My family is Cree and we have relations on both the Crow and Rocky Boy reservations. My wife is Mohawk and she too has family members on both sides of the line [border]. Canadians are familiar with the fact that Sitting Bull led his people to safety in Canada after the battle at the Little Big Horn, and that Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce was attempting to do the same before he and his tribe were attacked by the U.S. cavalry. But how many know of the traffic in the other direction? After the rebellion of 1885, members of Chief Big Bear's band and other first nations fled south to Montana. Over the years, these people either settled on reservations such as Rocky Boy or were repatriated to Canada. Metis families that had been involved in the rebellion also fled to Montana and North Dakota. My grandfather was one of the refugees to the United States. His father had been jailed in Stoney Mountain Penitentiary for his role in the Northwest Rebellion and my grandfather and his mother fled to the States where they lived on the west side of Great Falls, Mont. At that time the west side was a large Indian encampment made up mostly of refugees from Canada.My grandfather spoke Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot and some English. He told my father that it was important to visit other tribes and learn from them. Our people like to travel and visit other tribes. We travel hundreds of kilometres to attend ceremonies and rodeos. We share a relationship thatis unique to our history and culture. Today, there are still many similarities among tribes north and south of the "medicine line," [Canada - USA international border] but differences are starting to show. At the recent Native Film Festival in Palm Springs, 12 productions were selected for viewing -- six from Canada, five from the U.S. and one from Australia. The films from Canada were cutting-edge stuff, addressed issues of street gangs, drugs, prostitution, suicide and, of course, boarding schools. The American productions dealt largely with cultural and historical topics. Although one U.S. feature film, Skins, dealt with the harsh life on Pine Ridge Reservation, it actually received funding from the Aboriginal People's Television Network in Canada and stars several prominent Canadian actors, including Gary Farmer and Graham Greene. Canadians have a different approach to the "cultural industries." Our broadcasters have to file a "promise of performance" with their CRTC licence applications, describing how they will treat minority viewers and reflect community diversity. We also have institutions like the National Film Board, Telefilm and the Cable Production Fund, designed to encourage Canadian content and prevent absorption by the American entertainment industry. In contrast, American Indians have access to few resources other than the mainstream media, which caters to the lowest common denominator. The documentary is a Canadian invention and we seem to do it best. This has spilled over to the aboriginal film community and our documentaries have benefited from the long tradition of the CBC and the National Film Board. Institutions such as the Native Theatre School in Toronto have turned out a consistent crop of good actors and, after Dances with Wolves showcased our acting talent, the word was out in Hollywood that Canada was the place to cast for Indians. As a result our actors have succeeded in American films like no other group.In the U.S., many reservations are close to urban areas and are able to cash in on local development, including their own casinos. In some cases this has created a windfall for tribes with small populations. In Palm Springs, for example, the Agua Caliente Reservation is checker-boarded throughout the city and large tracts are leased from the tribe. The tribe also own a casino and spa in the downtown area. But while some U.S. tribes have great wealth, others such as Pine Ridge in North Dakota, without resources or proximity to large urban areas, live in abject poverty -- even worse than Canadian first nations. These reservations are out of sight and out of mind for the average American. As a result they have been left behind and the poverty and social conditions are appalling. The American safety-net is frayed and attitudes toward helping the less fortunate are much different than in Canada. The United States is a society of winners and losers, where welfare is given out in food stamps and food surpluses. In Canada, survival is considered good enough. It may sound strange, but in some ways Canadian Indians are more entrepreneurial than our American cousins. At a recent international meeting on the buffalo industry, a friend of mine told me American delegates were interested in raising buffalo as a cultural item, while the Canadians saw the potential for commercial development. The Americans were taken aback at the Canadians' aggressive business planning. Talk about a switch! Native education is another area of considerable discrepancy between the U.S. and Canada. An American educator at a conference I attended a few years ago praised the growth of institutions like the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and native studies programmes in mainstream universities.He said Indian education was flourishing in Canada, but languishing in the U.S. The greater ability of Canadian first nations to effect change is partly because we represent a larger percentage of the population here than in the States. Aboriginal people control two territorial legislatures and arethe majority in a number of federal and provincial ridings. We were able to create constitutional change because an aboriginal member of the Manitoba legislature, Elijah Harper, was able to stop ratification of the Meech Lake Accord. Because of our political strength, we have made much greater inroads in [Canadian] government than our American cousins. For them [the Americans], Indian affairs was once part of the War Department, and (American) treaties were signed at the point of a gun. Kit Carson coined the phrase "the only good Indian is a dead Indian". American filmmakers either portrayed Indians as either bloodthirsty savages in cowboy movies or patronized them as primitive innocents like "Pocahontas." Canadians, while not blameless, negotiated treaties with first nations and made land claim settlements. The Canadian government used bureaucracy as a weapon; the Americans used the army. Indian people have much in common on both sides of the border. We have a kinship that supersedes national boundaries. But while our tribal relationships are north-south, our future lies within the Canadian mosaic."- Doug Cuthand is a freelance writer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

"It was nearly nine centuries later, in 1960 that a Norwegian explorer and writer, Helge Ingstad, came upon the site at L'Anse aux Meadows. He was making an intensive search for Norse landing places along the coast from New England [in the USA] northward [in Canada]...Parks Canada continued excavation of the site from 1973 to 1976. Among the new areas excavated by Parks Canada was the peat bog below the Norse building terrace. Three separate layers with a total of about 2000 pieces of worked wood were discovered. One of these layers was from the Norse occupation [in Canada]." Sadly, most Norwegians think of the Norse arrival in North America to be some location in the USA, and few credit the importance of their discovery of Canada. (Photo: The Ingstads at L'Anse aux Meadows, Canada).

CANADIAN ACTORS, CANADIAN MUSICIANS, FAMOUS CANADIANS, & CANADIAN CULTURAL LINKS BELOW (A Special Note: Canada, as a bilingual French and English speaking country, is, and has been a cultural force in both the French and English language world. Many Canadians have been a success performing in their homeland of Canada in either French or English, or both. Moving beyond the Canadian market, many Canadians have succeed in French in Canada, France, Switerzland, Belgium, and the French speaking world. As well, many Canadians have dominated and succeed in the English speaking world).

JUNO AWARDS / LES PRIX JUNO - CANADA'S MUSIC AWARDS

"The Juno Awards are presented annually [in Canada] to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame are also inducted as part of the awards ceremonies." - Juno Awards. This Canadian award is the Canadian version of a "BRIT Award" in the U.K., the "Les victoires de la Musique" in France, or a "Grammy Award" in the U.S.A. (Photo: Juno Award CTV)

"20% OF HOLLYWOOD IS CANADIAN" - USA's Time Magazine

USA's Time Magazine, comments on Canadian Invasion of Hollywood (Photo: Canadaka.net). Many of these Canadian actors below are well-known for the work they have done in Hollywood films, but many are also well know by their fellow Canadians for the work they have done in Canada, not just in film, but also on the Canadian stage, in Canadian television, and on Canadian radio.

THE MOST POWERFUL CANADIANS IN HOLLYWOOD, USA: CANADIAN BUSINESS MAGAZINE ANNUAL CELEBRITY RANKINGS

"Canada's 4th annual celebrity power list unveiled" Canadian Business magazine annual report of the top paid and powerful Canadians working in Hollywood, USA. Many well know Canadians, like Australians, Britons, New Zealanders, and Swedes thrive in Hollywood, USA. Sadly, respect for being Canadian in the Norwegian media, it seems, is not always part of some Norwegian stories. Canadians actors working in the USA have a greater chance than the Britons, Swedes, Australians, and others to be incorrectly identified as Americans than their correct nationality - Canadian.

CANADA'S WALK OF FAME / L'AllÉE DES CÉLÉBRITÉS CANADIENNES

Canada’s “Walk of Fame” acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of successful Canadians. Located in Toronto’s theatre district (the 3rd largest centre for English language theatre in the world, behind New York, USA and London, UK), Canada’s "Walk of Fame is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization. We have chosen as our mission to engage Canadians in celebrating those who have excelled in music, sport, film, television, as well as the literary, visual, performing arts, science and innovation. Canada is an amazing country. We are peaceful, diverse and harmonious. We are socially responsible, creative, driven, confident and successful. We are also polite and humble. For a very young nation, we have accomplished so much. We have produced some of the world's greatest cultural success stories in music, film, sports, as well as visual, literary, and performing arts, science and innovation. We have a lot to be proud of. We believe that our greatest asset is our people, those who have succeeded and those who will be inspired to follow in their footsteps." – Canada’s Walk of Fame (Photo: Canadian Michael J. Fox receives his stylised maple leaf/star in Toronto, Canada, CWF).

Canadian Actor MALIN ÅCKERMAN

Born in Sweden, and raised in Canada from the age of two. Despite the fact of being rased in Canada from the age of two, she is more recognised for being Swedish than Canadian in many Norwegian stories. From Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars).

Canadian Singer, and Photographer - BRYAN ADAMS

Canadian rock star since the 1980s, and recipient of the Order of Canada. From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Canadian Actor PAMELA ANDERSON

First "discovered" at a Canadian football game with the British Columbia Lions in the Canadian Football League in Vancouver, in Canada, this Canadian actor is well known world-wide. She has the distinction of being "Canada's Centennial Baby" being the first Canadian born in Canada's centennial year on July 1st, 1967. From Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada (Photo: Canadian Television CTV).

Canadian Actor DAN AYKROYD

Dan Aykroyd grew up in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, where his father worked as a policy adviser to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He is a recipient of the Order of Canada. From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars).

Canadian Businessperson & BlackBerry Founder JIM BALSILLIE

Co-CEO of the Canadian company Research In Motion Limited (RIM), makers of the BlackBerry. From Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He is also the founder of the Canadian Centre for International Governance Innovation, based in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Actor ADAM BEACH

One of Canada's most well-known Aboriginal Canadian actors, starring in many First Nations films in Canada, and several Hollywood movies. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Snowman Bonhomme Carnaval from the Carnaval du Québec in Canada

Canadian Actor KIM CATTRALL

Canadian Singer, Songwriter, Poet - LEONARD COHEN

Just an amazing poet, songwriter, and recipient of the Order of Canada. From Canada's largest French speaking city of Montréal, Quebec, (Picture Source: Canadian Music Hall of Fame)

Canadian Actor ELISHA CUTHBERT

From Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Photo Source: Nothern Stars)

Canadian Circus Entertainers CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

From Montréal, Québec, Canada (Photo: Cirque du Soleil)

Canadian Actor - CAROLINE DHAVERNAS

From Montréal, Québec, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Singer CÉLINE DION

Celine's first 8 Albums in French (1981 -1987); First English album in 1990. She is a mega-star around the world in the French, and English languages. She is also a recipient of the Order of Canada. She, like many of Canada's French speaking artists, are also well known and highly successful in the French speaking world; topping the music charts in France, Switerzland, Belgium, etc. From Charlemagne, Québec, Canada.

Canadian Actor JAMES DOOHAN

From Vancouver, Canada (Photo: T.V. Guide)

Canadian Singer LARA FABIAN

Originally from Belgium, Lara Fabian moved to Canada at the age of 21 to pursue her career in 1991. In 1994, she became a Canadian citizen and released her French language debut album,"Lara Fabian" that sold over 100,000 copies in Canada. "This debut album went on to be certified Gold in 1993 and then certified platinum the following year."

Canadian Musician - Songwriter DAVID FOSTER

From Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (Photo: David Foster Foundation)

Canadian Hero TERRY FOX

"After 4,000 kilometres of training, Terry Fox is eager to begin his Marathon of Hope [to run across Canada]. In addition to raising money for cancer research, Terry wants to prove to other cancer victims that any challenge can be overcome." (CBC). Terry ran basically a marathon a day (42km). "He was forced to stop the run on September 1, 1980 just north-east of Thunder Bay, Ontario, after 143 days. He had run 5,373 km." This amazing Canadian hero is also a recipient of the Order of Canada. There are now Terry Fox "Runs" arouns the world to support cancer research, including Norway.

Canadian Actor BRUCE GREENWOOD

Canadian Rock Band THE GUESS WHO

Canadian Actor TOM JACKSON

Tom Jackson is a popular Métis actor, and recipient of the Order of Canada. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Singer DIANA KRALL

From Nanimo, British Columbia, Canada (Photo: DianaKrall.com)

Canadian Singer K.D. LANG

Juno Award winner, and recipient of the Order of Canada. From Alberta, Canada (Photo: kdlang.com).

Canadian Actor EVANGELINE LILLY

From Alberta, Canada (Photo: mathies.com)

Canadian television producer, writer and comedian LORNE MICHAELS

Lorne Michaels is best known for being the creative force behind the US television show from New York, "Saturday Night Live." In September 2006, Michales was the recipient of the [Canadian] Governor General's performing arts award for lifetime artistic achievement. In 2002, he received the Order of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Singer, Songwriter SARAH MCLACHLAN

From Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Photo: SarahMcLachlan.com)

Canadian Singer JONI MITCHELL

From Saskatchewan, Canada (Photo: Jonimitchell.com)

Canadian Singer-Songwriter ALANIS MORISSETTE

Canadian Singer-Songwriter ALANIS MORISSETTE

Canadian Actor CARRIE-ANNE MOSS

From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor MIKE MYERS (Go Leafs!)

Go Leafs! From Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor LESLIE NIELSEN

From Yukon, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor - ELLEN PAGE

From Halifax, Canada (Photo Source: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor- ANNA PAQUIN

From Winnipeg, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor MATTHEW PERRY

From Ottawa, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Jazz Musician & Composer - OSCAR PETERSON

From Montreal, Québec, Canada (Photo: Canada Post / Postes Canada).

Canadian Actress - MARY PICKFORD

This Canadian, while working in the United States was co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood. From Toronto, Canada (Photo: Northern Stars).

Canadian Actor CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER

From Toronto, Canada. Also a decendent of Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott. (Photo: Northern Stars)

Canadian Actor RYAN REYNOLDS

Canadian Actor SETH ROGEN

Canadian Rock Band RUSH

Canadian Actor ERIC SCHWEIG

From Northwest Territories, Canada (Photo Source:

Canadian Actor WILLIAM SHATNER

From Montreal, Québec, Canada (Photo Source: Warner Brothers)

Canadian Singer, Songwriter Shania Twain

Shania Twain just recently topped Hello! magazine's 50 most beautiful Canadians list in 2009. She is "the second best selling artist in Canada, behind fellow Canadian Céline Dion. Shania's third album 'Come on Over' is the best-selling album of all time by a female musician and the best-selling album in the history of country music." In 2005, Shania was the recipient of the Order of Canada. From Timmins, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Canadian Musicians).

Canadian Actor DONALD SUTHERLAND

From Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada (Photo Source: Nothern Stars)

Canadian Actor KIEFER SUTHERLAND

From Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Photo Source: Northern Stars)

Canadian Singer, Songwriter ROCH VOISINE

From Saint-Basile, New Brunswick, Canada (Photo: Plurielles)

Canadian Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist NEIL YOUNG

From Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Photo: Wikipedia)

A SMALL SAMPLING OF VARIOUS NORWEGIAN-CANADIAN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INFORMATION, & LINKS BELOW

As early as 1814, Swedish and Norwegian labourers were brought to Canada to work for the London based Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). The HBC, is one of several of the great commercial enterprises in Canada that helped open up Canada to development, commerce, and exploration. In 1812, a Scottish philanthropist, Thomas Douglas, the Earl of Selkirk, sponsored immigrant settlements in Canada at the Red River Colony (Winnipeg, Manitoba) to help re-settle impoverished Scottish farmers. Lord Selkirk and the HBC wanted experienced labourers to work the new colony in Western Canada, familiar with a northern climate. In 1814, the directors of the HBC voted to hire Swedish and Norwegian labourers and bring them to Canada. Some 13-15 Norwegians were brought to Canada to work in the Red River Colony. One of these men, Norwegian Peter Dahl, was later to become a very prosperous farmer and and pioneer settler in the Red River Valley in the province of Manitoba. These Norwegians left their mark on early western Canadian pioneer history, with place names like "Norway House" in Manitoba, and several Canadians living in Manitoba and western Canada who can trace their ancestry back to Peter Dahl. Another Norwegian (a "Lieutenant" Holte) is known to be the first man killed at the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816, as the British HBC, and the Canadian Northwest Company conflict raged over dominance in the fur trade in Canada.

1850s A.D. Norwegian Immigration to the Dominion of Canada Begins to Trickle In.

Dominion of Canada Government Norwegian Immigration Poster from Canada was in competition against the United States and other countries for new immigrants. Canadian government "propaganda was produced in order to attract one group in particular—experienced farmers...the future development of the [Canadian] West depended on attracting them. It didn't matter if they were British, Norwegian, American, or Ukrainian so long as they were industrious."

"From Fjord to Frontier: A History of the Norwegians in Canada" by Gulbrand Loken (Canada:1980)

"As a staunch member of the British Empire, Canada had hitherto sought British immigrants and it continued to do so during the Sifton years. In his quest for suitable agriculturalists to farm the [Canadian] West, however, [Canadian Minister of the Interior Sir] Clifford Sifton stressed new fields [countries] for recruiting immigrants. One of these was the United States. [Canadian Prime Minister] Sir John A. Macdonald's government had generally regarded the U.S. as a competitor for new immigrants, but the Minister saw Canada's southern neighbour as itself a vast reservoir of potential new settlers...The [Canadian] Department of the Interior under Sifton's direction expanded its network of American [based] offices and agents and mounted a strong campaign to attract experienced American farmers with capital [as new immigrants]. Estimates indicate that between 1901 and 1914, over 750,000 immigrants entered Canada from the United States...About one-third were newcomers of European extraction--Germans, Hungarians, Norwegians, Swedes, and Icelanders--who had originally settled in the American West."

1880s A.D. "Come to Stay..."

Caption states: "Come to Stay...Canada welcomes these bands of immigrants who, in such numbers, last week, came to settle in the Dominion [of Canada], instead of passing to the United States." (Printed in 1880 in the Canadian Illustrated News, which refers to immigration to the "Dominion of Canada"). Some 500,000 Norwegians passed through Canada en route to the United States. Not until after "the turn of the century did Norwegians accept Canada as a land of the second chance." Today, some 400,000 Canadians claim some Norwegian ancestry, the second largest number of Norwegians outside of Norway, after the United States. Sadly, and generally speaking, most of these Norwegians that chose Canada, and not America, are mostly unknown, and unheard of in Norway. Unlike Norwegians that immigrated to America, the Norwegians that immigrated to Canada, are not well known in Norway for their contributions to the Canadian nation. Their achievements and reasons for choosing Canadian are, generally speaking, ignored in Norway.

1893 A.D. "Free farms for the Millions" in the Dominion of Canada (ca.1893)

"Permanent Norwegian migration to North America began in 1825 when the first shipload of Norwegians arrived in New York, USA. In the next 75 years some 500,000 Norwegians landed at [the Canadian] port of Québec [and other Canadian ports], for this [Canadian route] was the shortest corridor to the central American states. In spite of efforts by Canada, very few [Norwegians] remained because of Canada's restrictive land policies at that time." The poster includes an advertisement for the Canadian Pacific Railway and features vignettes showing five [Canadian] government-run experimental farms."

1904 A.D. The Canadian West: An Irresistible Attraction Political Cartoon (1904)

1907 A.D. Norwegian-American Immigration to the Dominion of Canada

An example of a Dominion of Canada Government immigration poster used in the United States in 1907 stating "40,000 men needed in Western Canada to Harvest 100,000,000 Bushels of Grain." The Canadian Government actively encouraged and sought immigrants from around the world, including from the United States. Many of these American immigrants were of Norwegian decent, but overall it was "not until the turn of the century did Norwegians accept Canada as a land of the second chance. This was also true of the many American-Norwegians who moved [immigrated] to Canada seeking homesteads and new economic opportunities. By 1921 one-third of all Norwegians in Canada had been born in the USA." Above, a Canadian immigration poster encouraging American immigration with routes to Canada via Duluth, St-Paul, and Minneapolis, USA (Canada shown on right with British flag).

The [Canadian] Department of the Interior and travel companies with a vested interest in settling the Canadian Prairies sometimes joined forces to produce posters that promoted western immigration. The one shown here was printed on a lithographic press, a method which allowed bright colours and variations in tone. The poster includes an advertisement for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

1926 A.D. A Crowd of Norwegian-Canadians at rally of in Camrose, Canada in 1926 (PAA).

Note the British Flag [also Canadian flag at the time] and Norwegian Flags. New Norwegian-Canadians became "British Subjects" and part of the British Empire. In 1946, Canada was the first nation in the British Commonwealth to establish its own nationality law, with the enactment of the Canadian Citizenship Act by the Canadian Parliament in 1946. Other Commonwealth nations followed Canada lead; New Zealand 1949, Australia 1949, South Africa 1949, etc.

1963 A.D. Canadian Nordic Society Founded (Ottawa, Canada)

"Based in Canada's National Capital Region, the Canadian Nordic Society celebrates the links and common interests between Canada and the Nordic countries: Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Since 1963 the CNS has provided opportunities to share, learn about and celebrate Nordic culture and history and Canada's Nordic connections.The Canadian Nordic Society (CNS) is an organization committed to promoting among Canadians an awareness of the cultural, economic, social, political, and physical landscapes of the Nordic nations, including fostering an awareness of Canada's likeness to Nordic countries. We achieve this by providing an innovative and exciting program of activities which run from September through June. This promotion is augmented by year-round communications via our newsletter and web site." - CNS website

The Royal Canadian Mint produces for Norway 4,8 million Norwegian 1 krone coins. All these coins were put into circulation in Norway.

1999 A.D. The Royal Canadian Mint and Den Kongelige Mynt Co-produce two Collector Coins

"The Royal Canadian Mint and the Den Kongelige Mynt (Royal Norwegian Mint) co-produce two coins commemorating Vikings arriving in Canada. Both coins are struck on Norwegian 20-krone blanks (copper/nickel/zinc). The Canadian coin has a face value of $5 [Canadian currency], is struck in Proof, and shows a Viking ship approaching what is now L'Anse-aux-Meadows, Newfoundland, an authenticated Viking settlement in Canada."

After first immigrating to the USA from Norway, Cleven immigrated from the USA to Winnipeg, Canada in 1903. Cleven was a musician, composer and founder of the Canadian Viking Regiment (197th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force) during World War I. "Endre's motive and the impetus for the battalion's formation was that he was concerned about the possibility of Norwegians not being seen as loyal Canadians in wartime." - Wikipedia

Peter Dahl (From Norway to Winnipeg, Canada)

In 1814 some 13-15 Norwegians were brought to Rupertsland (Manitoba, Canada) to work in the Red River Colony. One of these men, Norwegian Peter Dahl, was later to become a very prosperous farmer and and pioneer settler in the Red River Valley (Winnipeg and area) in the province of Manitoba. He was the first Norwegian in this part of Canada, and “he became far more prosperous than the average Red River settler, and he left numerous descendants. He secured land, possibly from Lord Selkirk during his visit to the settlement in 1817. In the land register of the Hudson's Bay Company Dahl is credited with owning lots 186 and 606.”

Olaus Jeldness (From Stangvik, Norway to British Columbia, Canada)

"Norwegian-Canadian Olaus Jeldness pioneered the establishment of competitive skiing in western Canada...[In] 1896 he left Norway and immigrated to Canada and the mining community of Rossland, British Columbia in western Canada. He was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 1988. He is called the 'Father of competitive skiing in Canada' for his efforts to introduce skiing to Canadians.During his skiing years, he won the first downhill race on Red Mountain on March 6, 1897, created the first ski club in Canada, and won three consecutive Canadian Ski Jump Championships."

Torill Kove (From Hamar, Norway to Quebec, Canada)

Norwegian-Canadian film director and animator. On January 23, 2007, Torill Kove and the National Film Board of Canada / Office national du film du Canada received an Academy Award for the animated short The Danish Poet, directed by Torill Kove and co-produced with MikroFilm AS (Norway). It was the NFB/ONF's 12th Academy Award. Sadly, several Norwegian media stories did not mention or recognise the Canadian connection to this film in their coverage.

Henry Larsen (From Hvaler, Norway to British Columbia, Canada)

Henry Larsen immigrated to Canada in 1924, became a Canadian citizen, and joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1928 he was appointed master of the RCMP ship St. Roch and sent to promote Canada’s sovereignty over the Canadian arctic. His most notable achievement was the completion of two voyages with St Roch through the Northwest Passage."Only one person had ever sailed a ship through the famed Northwest Passage and that was Norwegian Roald Amundsen in 1903-06, from east to west...In 1940, Larsen was the first to sail it from west to east, from Vancouver to Halifax...Each of the men on the trip was awarded a medal by King George VI in recognition of this magnificent feat of Arctic navigation." Larsen is one of Canada’s greatest arctic explorers.

Canadian Coast Gaurd Ship Henry Larsen is a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker based in St John's, Newfoundland. Named after named after Henry Larsen, commander of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police patrol vessel St. Roch, the first vessel to traverse the Northwest Passage in a single season.

Immigrated to Canada, spoke French and English. "Norwegian-Canadian supercentenarian who gained widespread recognition for being one of the first people to introduce the sport of cross-country skiing to Canada."

"On December 22, 1972, Johannsen was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for fostering and developing skiing as a recreation and helping and encouraging generations of skiers in Canada."

CANADIAN SPORTS HISTORY & SPORTING LINKS BELOW

Canadian Hockey

1893 Canadian hockey game at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Quebec (note the Union Jack flags - Canada's flag at the time). The modern game of Canadian ice hockey, known as just hockey in Canada, has its origins in Montreal. "Hockey was not born at a precise moment. The sport evolved from older team games like shinny and hurly...Hockey is so popular [in Canada] that a number of Canadian cities claim to have started it, if not to have invented it, notably Halifax, Windsor, Nova Scotia and Kingston, Ontario." The first recorded hockey game played on an indoor rink between two teams and reported in the press took place on March 3, 1875 at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montréal [Canada]....The game as we now know it was shaped in Montréal according to rules prescribed by George Aylwin Creighton." - Canadian Museum of Civilization (Ottawa, Canada). The love of the game by Canadians gave rise not only to the "Stanley Cup" ("Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup") in Canada, but also the National Hockey League / Ligue nationale de hockey (NHL / LNH) in Canada in 1917. The popularity and success of modern hockey in Canada was soon exported to other countries.

National Hockey League (NHL) / Ligue nationale de hockey (LNH)

Founded in Montreal, Canada as a Canadian league in 1917, the National Hockey League included six original teams: Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Quebec Bulldogs, Ottawa Senators, & Toronto Arenas. The league's first game was held Dec. 19, 1917. Two crests are used in Canada English and French to represent the NHL/LNH.

Basketball - Canadian Dr. James Naismith (From Ontario, Canada)

"Canadian Dr. James Naismith is best known world-wide as the inventor of basketball. He was an educator and leader, dedicated to developing character through sport, and devoted to serving society. His gift of basketball is played in over 200 countries around the world." Born in Almonte, Ontario in Canada, just some 40 kilometres from Canada's Capital - Ottawa. "Naismith's contributions to basketball have earned him several posthumous enshrinements, such as in the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, the Ontario Sports Legends Hall of Fame, the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, the McGill University Sports Hall of Fame."

Canadian Golf

"A coloured sketch of golfers participating in 'The Golf Match between the Quebec and Montreal Clubs, on Fletcher’s Field, Montreal,' which appeared in the Canadian Illustrated News in October 1880, provides a glimpse of early Canadian golf. The first golf club established in North America was the Royal Montreal Golf Club, founded in 1873. Close on its heels were the Royal Quebec Golf Club in 1875, the Toronto Golf Club in 1881, and the Royal Ottawa in 1891." The Canadian Golf Association is the world's 3rd oldest association founded in 1895, after the the Golfing Union of Ireland in 1891 and the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1893 in the U.K., and the United States Golf Assocation founded in 1895.

A Royal tradition in Canada since 1860. The Queen's Plate is Canada's (and North America's) oldest thoroughbred horse race founded in 1860 in Toronto, Canada. It is run at a distance of 1¼ miles for 3-year-old thoroughbed horses foaled in Canada. The race takes place each June at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada.

A SAMPLING OF A FEW CANADIAN INVENTIONS & CANADIAN INSPIRED ICONS BELOW

BlackBerry (Research in Motion) Mobile Devices

One of Canada's more recent success stories, the BlackBerry is available all over Canada, and available to purchase at the Trigcom Business Centre at Kronprinsesse Märthas Plass 1 in Oslo, Norway. From Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Canadarm ("Canada Arm")

"The Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), or Canadarm (Canadarm 1), is a mechanical arm used on the Space Shuttle to maneuver a payload from the payload bay of the orbiter to its deployment position and then release it. It can also grapple a free-flying payload, maneuver it to the payload bay of the orbiter and berth it in the orbiter. It was first used on the second Space Shuttle mission STS-2, launched November 13, 1981." Source: Wikipedia

From 1975 until September 2007, the Canadian National Tower in Toronto held the world record for the tallest free standing structure in the world at 554.3 metres. It is still the tallest in North America, and South America, but now has been surpassed by the Burj Dubai. This is not the "CNN Tower," as some Norwegian journalists have called it in their stories.

Goalie Mask

Canadian NHL hockey player, Jacques Plante, was the first goaltender to create and use a practical goalie mask in Canada in 1959.

Greenpeace

Greenpeace was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1971.(Photo: Greenpeace)

IMAX

"IMAX (short for Image MAXimum) is a motion picture film format and projection standard created by Canada's IMAX Corporation. The first permanent IMAX system was set up in Toronto, Canada at Ontario Place in 1971." - Wikipedia (Photo: IMAX).

Ian Flemming's "James Bond" & Canadian Sir William Stephenson

"James Bond is a highly romanticized version of a true spy. The real thing is...William Stephenson." --Ian Fleming, The Times, October 21, 1962.

Lightbulb

Bombardier "Ski-Doo" Snowmobile

2009 - Celebrating 50 years of the Ski-Doo. (Photo:museebombardier.com)

Standard Time

La Coupe Stanley / The Stanley Cup from Canada is a hockey club championship trophy, awarded originally to the top amateur hockey team in Canada, decided by the acceptance of a challenge match from another Canadian team annually. It was donated by His Excellency, the Governor General of Canada in 1893 in Ottawa. Canada. In a speech the Governor General of Canada stated: "I have for some time been thinking that it would be a good thing if there were a challenge cup which should be held from year to year by the champion hockey team in the Dominion of Canada. There does not appear to be any such outward sign of a championship at present, and considering the general interest which matches now elicit, and the importance of having the game played fairly and under rules generally recognised, I am willing to give a cup which shall be held from year to year by the winning team." As the game of hockey grew throughout the Dominion of Canada, and eventually exported beyond Canada's borders to the United States and other countries, the Stanley Cup became part of the NHL / LNH and presented to the top NHL / LNH team each year in this Canadian founded league, played throughout almost all of North America. Of the 17 trophies awarded each year by the NHL / LNH, 16 are named after Canadians, or represent Canadian historical connections in the NHL / LNH. Sadly, the NHL is often represented in the Norwegian media as a USA league, or American hockey, with no, or little credit given to the enormus Canadian contribution to the game of hockey, and the NHL / LNH.

Superman (Created by Canadian Joe Shuster, and American Jerry Siegel)

"Fans hear time and again about how Superman is an American icon. Some of you will be surprised to know then that Superman is part Canadian, one half to be exact. But of course, this will come as no great shock to Canadians."

Trivial Pursuit Board Game

"The game was created in 1979 by Canadians Scott Abbott, a sports editor for The Canadian Press, and Chris Haney, a photo editor for Montreal's The Gazette." - Wikipedia (Photo: Trival Pursuit)

Winnie the Pooh (Created by Englishman A. A. Milne)

The inspiration for Winnie the Pooh came from a black bear mascot of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade of the Canadian Army in Europe during WWI. When the Brigade was posted to the battlefields of France, Canadian Captain Colebourn took Winnie to the London Zoo. He named the bear "Winnie" after his home town of Winnipeg in Canada.

Wonderbra

(Photo: Wonderbra)

A SAMPLING OF SOME POPULAR CANADIAN MAGAZINES IN FRENCH OR ENGLISH

The Beaver

Canada's History Magazine (Photo: The Beaver).

Canadian Art

English langauge Canadian art magazine.

Canadian Business

Canadian Cowboy Country

Canadian cowboy magazine. Feature coverage on Canadian cowboys, and cowboy life and culture in Mexico, Australia, and the USA.

Canadian Geographic

"Explore and discover Canada and Canadians with Canadian Geographic Magazine."

Canadian Living

"Canadian Living is the ultimate source of relevant lifestyle and food information and inspiration for busy [Canadian] women" (Photo: Canadian Living).

L'actualité

Maclean's

A LITTLE TASTE OF CANADA: A SAMPLING OF JUST SOME CANADIAN FOOD & DRINK BELOW

Arctic Char

Bakeapple Berry (Cloudberry)

Bison

(Photo: I Love Bison)

Caesar

Canadian Bacon

Canadian Maple Syrup

Canadian Pea Soup

(Photo: Soup-resipe)

Canadian Wild Rice

Canadian Wild Rice

Ginger Ale

Invented in Canada 1890

Manitoba Smoked Goldeye

Goldeye is a fish that’s native to Manitoba and “has the same oily richness of smoked trout, but with a soft, subtle smokey and fishy flavour.” (Photo: Canadian Living Magazine)

Montreal Smoked Meat

(Photo: Lesters Deli)

Nanaimo Bars

The Nanaimo bar is a Canadian invented dessert, popular across Canada and North America. A type of chocolate non-bake square, named after the Canadian city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The city of Nanaimo is also the hometown of Canadian jazz singer Diana Krall). (Photo: Whisk & A Spoon).

Pâté Chinois

"Pâté chinois is a French Canadian dish similar to English cottage pie and French 'hachis Parmentier.' It is made from layered ground beef (sometimes mixed with sautéed diced onions) on the bottom layer, canned corn (either whole-kernel, creamed, or a mix) for the middle layer, and mashed potatoes on top. Variations may include sprinkling paprika on top of the potatoes, reversing the layering of ingredients, adding diced bell peppers to the ground beef, and serving the dish with pickled eggs or beets. Paté chinois is often consumed with ketchup mixed in.” - Wikipedia (Photo: TQS)

Red River Cereal

Red River Cereal is a Canadian hot porridge meal made of wheat, rye, and flax. The name comes from the Red River area in Mantioba, in Canada, especially around the Canadian city of Winnipeg. The package features a Canadian Red River oxcart developed and used by the Métis people of Red River and the Canadian West.

Roast Beef

Saskatoon Berries

Saskatoon berries are a popular berry found in much of the Canadian West used to make pies, jams, wines, etc. They were were originally used as a major food source by Aboriginal Candians. The Canadian city of Saskatoon in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan is named after this berry, as well as a Norwegian band ("Girl from Saskatoon") named after a girl in or from this Canadian city (Photo: Prairie Berries).

Tartre au Sucre / Sugar Pie

Mmmmmm! Sugar pie is a traditional French Canadian dessert made as a single-crust pie with a filling made from flour, butter, salt, vanilla, and cream, with maple syrup or brown sugar (Photo: FoodTV Canada).

Tourtière

"A tourtière is a meat pie originating from Quebec, usually made with ground pork and/or veal, or beef. It is a traditional part of the Christmas and/or Christmas Eve réveillon and New Year's Eve meal in Quebec [and other French parts of Canada], but is also enjoyed and sold in grocery stores all year long. This kind of pie is known as pâté à la viande." - Wikipedia

About Me

Norwegian Media Watch was founded because of the need to expose ignorance, double standards, lazy journalism, and lack of professionalism sometimes given Canada, Canadians, and Canadian culture by many journalists in the Norwegian media. I encourage all readers, especially Canadians, to write to the media outlets listed on this site and the Norsk Presseforbund, and voice your concerns over the way Canada and Canadians are treated in the Norwegian press. Let's help inform these journalist they are actually HURTING NORWAY'S IMAGE, and contributing towards making Norway look ignorant. NMW is not asking for more coverage about Canada, just "fair" coverage that is accurate and not based on ignorance or blind assumptions about Canada. These journalists should not apply what they "think" they know about Canada in their stories, just because they don't know something about Canada, don't take the time to research their facts, and just because Canada geographically shares the continent of North America with Mexico and the USA. For the sake of Norway's reputation give Canada the same fair treatment Canada gives Norway in the Canadian press.

[Former Canadian Ambassador - Serafini] Wants to Make Canada More Visible [to Norwegians]

"'My perhaps most important task will be to increase Norwegians' awareness of Canada. It is of course nice that most Norwegians think of Canada as a grand, beautiful country, but at the same time it is important to nuance this perception so that people understand what unexplored potential the country actually represents' says Shirley Wolff Serafini." Interview with Former Ambassador Shirley Wolff Serafini in Aftenposten, on 23 October 2001, upon her arrival in Norway (Photo: DFAIT)

Canada's Office national du film / National Film Board of Canada's Presents "Fighting Norway"

"During World War II Norwegian patriots struck at Germany from the rear, linking Canada, the United States and Britain with Soviet Russia. Norwegian resources around the world were mobilized, and at Canadian training stations Norwegian airmen forged a lasting friendship between the two countries. Includes footage from the British film All for Norway."

"The National Film Board of Canada produces and distributes bold and distinctive social issue documentaries, auteur animation and digital content that provide the world with a unique Canadian perspective. Since its founding in 1939, the NFB has created over 13,000 productions and won over 5000 awards, including more than 90 Genies. The NFB also received its 12th Academy Award® this year for the animated short The Danish Poet, directed by Torill Kove and co-produced by Norway’s Mikrofilm AS and the NFB. The NFB is renowned for its technical innovations and is a leader in content for new platforms." - ONF

"Henry Asbjorn Larsen, [Canadian] mounted policeman, seaman, explorer (b at Hvaler, Norway 30 Sept 1899; d at Vancouver 29 Oct 1964). He went to sea in a square-rigger at 15; inspired by the career of his countryman Roald AMUNDSEN, he dreamed of exploring the Arctic. After a voyage to the Beaufort Sea he became a Canadian citizen in 1927, and in 1928 joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police...."http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=F1ARTF0004538

"Ships of Wood and Men of Iron - A Norwegian-Canadian Saga of Exploration in the High Arctic"

"In 1880, THE BRITISH CROWN CEDEED its remaining territories in North America to the recently formed Dominion of Canada. It did this because it feared the covetousness with which the United States of America eyed the Arctic lands. Canada..." By Gerard Kenney (2005)

"Initiative to Erect a Statue to Commemorate one of Canada’s Greatest Arctic Explorers Begins in...

Vancouver, BC [Canada]: May 24, 2005

La Fête du Canada à Oslo / Canada Day in Oslo

"Norway: [Canadian] Leonard Cohen opened a European tour with a performance on Canada Day in Oslo for a crowd of 15,000 people. Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg and family attended an on-site reception organized by the Embassy of Canada, where VIP guests enjoyed Canadian wine and food. Wanting a taste of Canada while on vacation in Europe this summer? In addition to the Cohen show, an impressive list of acts such as Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Diana Krall and Marc André Hamelin, and some 25 other Canadian musicians and performers are scheduled to appear at Norwegian summer festivals this year." - Source Government of Canada